1989 Mitsubishi Mighty Max SWB 2.0L I4

Summary:

Very simple, very economical, very reliable

Faults:

Battery replaced after a few years of very intermittent use.

Seat back has a broken spring that stabs my lower back.

Horn shorted out and blew continuously until I yanked it's wire off.

Speedo failed at 239,000 miles.

Very expensive electronic carburetor replaced at 239,000 miles.

Very few mechanical issues with this truck.

General Comments:

I've had this little truck for over ten years, and although it's gutless as can be, its interior is cramped and it didn't come with power steering, it never fails to start right up and do what I ask it to do... even after sitting for over a year.

With the exception of its hybrid carburetor ($400.00), what replacement parts it has ever needed were really cheap. Gas mileage is pretty good too, in the high 20s. Its 14" tires were only $30.00 each. Basic insurance is also cheap. I've only had to have its AC charged once in ten years. It costs very little to run this little truck.

I'm pleased with the durability of this very simple vehicle. I don't ask much of it, but when I do use it, it ALWAYS works as it should. In fact, for the last few years, it seems its main job has been to drive me to the parts store to get parts for my beautiful but disappointingly unreliable Ford Explorer.

I always trust that when my Explorer fails me, my little Mitsu will not.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 20th May, 2010

1989 Mitsubishi Mighty Max Pickup 2.0 litre

Summary:

Cheap, solid, reliable - a real bargain

Faults:

Radiator replaced at 195,000.

Head gasket at 220,000.

Oil sending unit.

Seats worn through after 19 years - go figure.

Smog pipe connected to exhaust manifold broke.

Clutch at 150,000.

Fifth gear is getting noisy.

General Comments:

Solid and rattle free at 235,000.

Economical and fairly easy to work on.

Surprisingly comfortable for a small truck.

1800 pound max load capacity so it handles 1,000 easily.

It cost $5800 new so how could I complain after 20 years!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th November, 2008

1989 Mitsubishi Mighty Max SWB 2.0

Summary:

I love it so much, I hope it lasts forever!

Faults:

Fuel pump died at 180000 miles. I couldn't find a new mechanical one, so I bought an after-market electric one and ran it through a switch. It actually runs better with the electric. In 82000 miles of driving this car, that is all (outside of the battery and tires) that has ever needed to be replaced.

General Comments:

Not a very comfortable cabin, but I replaced the bench seats with bucket seats from a Honda Accord and that improved it tremendously. I also had to replace the fuel pump with an electric pump since I couldn't find a mechanical one for it like OE. I'm glad I didn't find one, my MPG went through the roof with the electric one. I went from ~20 MPG to almost 30 MPG with just that. I love this truck! I hope it lasts forever.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd July, 2007

6th Dec 2012, 00:02

What brand of fuel pump did you use to get 30 MPG?

1989 Mitsubishi Mighty Max 2.0

Summary:

Like a buffalo coin, rare!

Faults:

I bought the truck for 450 bucks from a young kids dad.

Started it and sounded like it was falling apart.

Asked him for a quart of oil, ran like a champ, funny.

Kid had oversize tires, changed them to stock, steering shaking fixed.

Driver side mirror missing, changed for 10 dollars.

Oil change and tune up. runs like champ.

General Comments:

Good transportation no need to upgrade does the job just fine.

Could use better seats, but that is the same with most trucks.

Cannot figure out why this trucks smoke so much? specially during start up and its intermittent.

Not easy to find parts new or used.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st December, 2005

23rd Jul 2007, 19:43

The smoking is 100 percent due to the Mikuni over engineered carb.

They are almost always past the fail point these days. Do a Weber swap (anyone can accomplish with 4 tools :) ); you will be rewarded with better starts, better MPG and more power.

ANYONE reading this that is thinking of buying one of these jewels... look for one that has the 4.22 gears like mine. I have 5 vehicles with the same basic motor (G54b); 4 Conquests and my beloved 88 macro cab 4x4 with the deluxe equipment package.

Check out www.starquestclub.com. A few of my buddies even have a turbo motor from a Conquest/Starion in their trucks.

The sky's the limits these days... anywhere from 250whp/350wtq to over 500whp can and has been done.

Monty.

7th Apr 2009, 23:33

I've got my Mighty Max. I traded a 99 SL1. I have put a transmission in this truck, and put a 4inch body lift and a 4inch suspension lift, and some 33*12.50*15 buckshots. The truck has not giving me any problems, it is all good, but the seats SUCK.