Mitsubishi literature invites you to “Take the high road, the low road, or no road at all with the 1988 SPX 4WD, the most versatile, most luxurious vehicle in Mitsubishi’s truck lineup.” With a regular cab or extended cab, which they called the MacroCab, as seen here. This 1988 Mitsubishi Mighty Max 4×4 SPX MacroCab is posted here on craigslist in the Kissimmee, Florida area, and they’re asking $7,995. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P. for the tip!
The Florence Beige paint has seen better days, but the seller says this is an Arizona truck and it’s now in Florida; not exactly the two easiest climates for vehicles. Salty roads and winter snow and ice most likely aren’t an issue, but the desert sun and salty air in parts of Florida can be pretty harsh. I always get worried when I see those big fender flares, thinking that they may be covering up a rust issue. Having grown up in the upper Midwest, that was the usual thing to do. But I believe these came from the factory.
The wheels didn’t come from the factory, unfortunately, but someone liked them, and that’s all that matters. I’m super boring, wheel-wise, as you know. I would want to redo this one, at least repaint it back to the factory beige paint. I’d also replace the giant front bumper and rear bumper, the aftermarket roll bar, and try to find a smaller factory one, and…zzzzzz.. sorry, there I go again. Who cares what I like? We don’t see any underside photos, but here’s what the bed looks like inside.
As with a lot of desert and southern vehicles, the interior is a little burnt in spots after almost four decades. The SPX trim added a few luxuries, like bucket seats, carpet, a cloth headliner, an adjustable steering wheel, and power steering, and more. This one has the optional air-conditioning, and the seller says they just went through the system and put in a new compressor and dryer, and it works great. This truck has a 5-speed manual and a 2-speed transfer case, and the area behind the bucket seats would make me love my truck rather than just liking it.
The engine looks familiar; I have the same one, including the replacement Weber carb, in my 1980 Dodge (Mitsubishi) D-50 Sport pickup. This one is much nicer, though, with power steering and air-conditioning. This is Mitsubishi’s 4G54, a 2.6-liter SOHC inline-four with around 108 horsepower and 143 lb-ft of torque when new. Passing through the 2-speed transfer case and 5-speed manual, it sends power to all four wheels as needed. The seller says this truck runs and drives great, and it has a new radiator, fuel pump, carb, starter, a new cylinder head (?), and new tires. Any thoughts on this 4×4 Mitsubishi Mighty Max?
It was an ’88 Mitsubishi Mighty Max, regular cab short bed 2WD this engine and a 5 speed in this exact color and same interior too that my Dads friend bought for himself as a retirement gift, that got me hooked on wanting one of these. Problem is, I still want one. A lot of fun to drive too. This one looks very solid. I’d tend to agree with Scotty on the bumpers, etc. If stock ones could be sources, rims too. I actually like the plain argent silver steel rims on the 2WD models. Hope this goes to a good new home. Thanks for jogging some good memories Scotty.