SURVIVOR DRIVER: Buying A MITSUBISHI MIGHTY MAX For ONLY $1,000

Eric called me and said get in the truck we're going to buy a car. I'm always down to buy a car so I jumped in and we headed across town to pick a 1986 Mitsubishi Mighty Max with only 24,000 original miles on it, the Survivor Driver. You don't see trucks like this very often and you especially don't get the opportunity to buy them for only $1,000. I drove the truck home and we went straight to work tuning it up and getting it cleaned up to be a driver, but by the end of the day, it was for sale!
Wiper Blades:
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Oil Filter:
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Coolant:
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Spark Plug x4:
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Spark Plug Wires:
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MERCH: shopWatchJRGo.com
Shop Motul: motul.com
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Common Questions:
What motorcycle do I ride? A few. Ducati 1198, Honda Goldwing, Honda Grom, Honda Ruckus
What do I do for a living? Make KZbin videos.
Can you wheelie? No, I suck.
Are you fast? Sort of. I suck mostly though.
Where can I keep up with you off the bike?
Instagram: WatchJRGo
Facebook: WatchJRGo (or JRGo, FB hates my branding)
Do you go to school? College, for 2 classes.
Why do you ride so dangerously? What do mean? I was doing 25.
Do you go to the track? Of course, hopefully there will be videos in the future.
Do you play video games? No, but I might stream N64 Goldeneye at some point. Twitch: WatchJRGo
Are you afraid the police will watch your videos and arrest you? Something something evidence something something warrants and due process of law
#MiniTruck #MightyMax #CarRepair

[@TheAwkwardBanana]

So jealous of that find, damn. Shame he flipped it.

[@ogmudboned]

He probably jumped the title as well LMAO

[@Anonymoose345]

Wait he flipped it like flipped it on its head

[@rulas987]

@@ogmudboned they actually did the truck is for sale in Oklahoma and they say they are the second owners 😂 and are asking $5000 for it now with 30,000 miles

[@ogmudboned]

@@rulas987 send me the link 😂

[@RobertGSolomon]

That truck will run forever I worked for mitsubishi for years and their engines and transmissions are top notch well built.

[@ronaldwarren5220]

My family owned 3 of those. Two Mitsubishis and one Dodge. I automatic, 2 stick shifts, one of these was a 4wd. Great vehicles that were very reliable!

[@DrewsCustomDiecastDrewMSmith]

That's when Mitsubishi made great little trucks. I would love to find one like that. Great score 🍻

[@brockstoltz2937]

I have one for sale. Mint condition and 107,000 1992 2.4L

[@pixelmaster3095]

Everybody gangsta till 4d56T

[@pixelmaster3095]

Due to many horsepower breaks heads

[@pixelmaster3095]

But if you forget about it Yeah they forget to die

[@fightzoid]

I bought a 1980 Dodge D50 (Same truck) from the University of Idaho last year for 450 bucks. They bought it new and only used it on campus. 85k on the clock and ran awesome. I put a new clutch in it and sold it to my neighbor. i should have kept it.

[@skookumbuilds3282]

Dude what a steal. I'm a little north of U of I

[@idahofur]

Yea I keep forgetting of U of I auctions myself.

[@doubledeuce5084]

was it blue? I was watching that one online.

[@michaeld2799md]

That’s SUPER clean for how old it is holy crap.

[@Djwally13]

Seeing the green backlit instrument panel and the Sony head unit brought back some memories for me! Lol, 😆

[@kennyduarte783]

It’s too bad it was put up for sale, would’ve love to see more with it but it was still cool to see it.... really miss these basic little trucks like my dad’s Nissan 720 he had back in the day, that’s what took me home when I was born and it’s still going strong today.

[@ronaldss859]

Man You put the brake master cylinder lid on paint, it destroys paints. Oh well 😔

[@murrys5444]

My first vehicle was a Dodge Ram 50. When you lifted the hood it still had "Mitsubishi" on the motor. Dodge only changed the badges and steering wheel cover before they sold them. Coincidentally, mine looked identical to that, I think even down to the seat upholstery. You aren't kidding in how robust they were. Mine did have 4WD, but even then it was so light it took an incredible amount to get it stuck, and odds are you could still drive out of it.

[@carneasadafries8050]

In 1988 when I turned 16 years old my older brother gifted me his RED 1985 Mitsubishi Mighty Max mini truck. All fixed up with typical 80s swag. Baby turbo mirrors, Grant GT steering wheel, loud exhaust, glass button Alpine cassette stereo (with the requisite amps and booming speaker boxes behind seat), slammed to the ground (Like, avoid speed bumps and drive way dips slammed) low profile tires on Centerline wheels, black vinyl bra, color matched trim pieces on grill/bumpers....and New Approach Minis truck club logo painted on back window. It was an awesome truck and I still miss it 30+ years later. Thanks for the cool video and trip down nostalgia lane J.R. - this old guy loves your channel!

[@marioga90]

Am I the only one that picture the pizza planet truck from toy story?

[@ElliottAlvis]

You guys really Mighty Max-imized your profit on this one. Good work!

[@rolkamon]

I had one of those late 80’s drove it drove till mid 90’s, was nostalgic to see the interior, gage cluster

[@brycekelly8611]

I just picked up an 86 Mitsubishi 4x4 with 260k for $270. It was a grandpa's truck and sat for several years but it's already running again.

[@AvianAttorney]

Just picked up a clean title 2005 e46 m3 manual for $7,500 and I feel like you getting great deals for once!

[@desertaliend_b9840]

Take care of the cooling before it goes bad.

[@AvianAttorney]

@@desertaliend_b9840 I'm giving the car a complete service via a bunch of parts from FCP Euro. I had a PPI done before I bought it and the car will be completely sorted when I'm done.

[@tickl3m3vil]

Here in canada clean ones are going between 20k - 30k... thats a crazy good deal even if its got some issues

[@Jonathan-tb6fm]

How many miles? Not convertible correct?

[@SuperJmbk]

@Not Hitler hilarious:(

[@vincent.vangogh7861]

He'll yeah man I've been waiting g for a minitruck episode i almost commented on it in you're last video.. you always find interesting things to work on good content

[@therobb5738]

And then you showed the interior, and now I'm screaming at my phone THATS MY TRUCK!!

[@devlinbonner3996]

I’m crying here in Canada since those trucks have all but rusted here 😭

[@ewanstewart8011]

Same here in the UK. I Saw one in Vietnam but it from the 70s and so so small

[@lakeshorerides]

Great lakes American here. I feel 100% of your pain :(

[@houseonpleasantstreet9774]

Yes. I hear you. I'm in Nova Scotia. Cars from the mid 2000 s are rotted out

[@LowskBowski]

I hear ya. I grew up in Minnesota. I found my old 85 D50 at an auction. It was 1994 I think? It came from Oregon so it was rust free. I washed that thing every week during the winter.

[@chefboiard5468]

@@LowskBowski damn I’m so blessed to live in Cali I have a 87 and a 92 completely rust free

[@casanovavw72]

This is amazing to see! My family had a red manual 86 or 87 Dodge d50 4x4! It would go anywhere no matter the season and was crazy reliable! The snow days we're always fun too. Thanks for helping me relive some great memories RJ

[@ewanstewart8011]

RJ?

[@casanovavw72]

It's a typo

[@nathankim7664]

Can't believe this truck got *STOLEN* for only 3 grand! You'll never find a deal sweeter than that for any truck!

[@jeremywimer8842]

Even more rare the Plymouth Arrow Pickup... my family had one. Found it a few months back, still daily driven by the current owner.

[@timothykeith1367]

Used ones were known as the budget alternative to the Toyota. The 2.4 motor is very durable

[@TexasDragon3907]

I was gifted an Arrow Pickup from an aunt and it was my high school project at the beginning of my senior year. Worked on it bit by bit and had it street legal and ready to roll for my freshman year of college. Drove it for two days before it blew a head gasket and it's sat since. I'm hoping to be able to do something with it one day.

[@mattf49006]

When I lived out in Portland Oregon I had a D 50 I used for work in construction customer service and up and down the west coast..had a cap like yours..carried tools and still did 22..24 mpg on the highway ..way more comfortable and wider than a s10 or a ranger...loved that truck and easier on gas than my gmc 2500..btw..that's a CB radio..not a ham

[@tony66au]

"I went ahead and tuned the ham radio to some local repeaters" NERD! lol

[@chorton38305]

I think that is actually a CB radio.

[@radiotech1714]

That is an Icom dual band vhf/uhf radio.

[@jackroher5637]

Rescued one that had been sitting in a field for 10 years. Got it for 300 bucks drove it for a year and a half then sold it to a guy at work that drove it another 3-4 years before the frame finally started buckling. Great truck!

[@mikebrowne477]

I'd love this little truck. Perfect. Hopefully someone honors it as it should be honored.

[@jafirelkurd]

Be careful when replacing the air filters on these. I remember years ago we’d have issues where the top of the carb would distort from over-tightening the nut. Twenty years ago dodge couldn’t get new carbs, Mitsubishi wanted like $1000, and all of the rebuilt ones we bought were just as bad as the original one. I assume things are only worse now.

[@LowskBowski]

No kidding. My 85 had choke issues and would puff out white smoke during a 10 degree F startup. I finally learned about the little choke "pull-down" and replaced it. Much better! But all that raw fuel from before plugged up the first cat, (or spark arrestor made of the same stuff as a cat.) Hammered it out and I was back in business.

[@Tellin08]

Did you all ever try the Weber Carb?

[@djAnakin]

Really clean! Nice!!! Also.. it's Mitsu-bee-shee.

[@mmodtomic7119]

Right? What is JR even trying to say? MitsuBUSHY?

[@colormesarge]

He can't pronounce any manufacturer's name. Idk wtf is going on with this guy.

[@VacFink]

That there is the middle school shop teacher special. Nice truck.

[@legodude19999]

Make sure you take apart the heating system and clean out the heater core, the leaves can dry out and catch fire in there

[@rossbrumby1957]

How would leaves catch fire in the heater core? Its only radiator temperature in there.

[@legodude19999]

@@rossbrumby1957 Happened in my 86 k5, not sure how but it did lmao

[@paulcoinc]

Considering the original price of that off the lot that had some crazy good depreciation value.

[@dontran391]

That 86 mighty max you find is a great find! Especially it's in good condition with no severe dents and the wheels have the outer rim covers in tact! My old man used to own an 86 mighty max. But navy blue color. Unfortunately, when he parked in the street, next morning, it got wrecked because some drunk driver ram it with few other cars... The front bumper came off, the back left wheel metal rim cover came off and got crumpled like a crumpled soda can. But the truck was still driveable for a while. Sadly my old man got rid of it eventually, where he sold it off to Hispanic landscapers. My old man did keep his 86 mighty max in good shape until a drunk driver car wreck it. Otherwise that truck would have been a good antique collectible.

[@gaa2721]

My first car was a 1986 Nissan pickup truck. Those things are so cool!

[@nickalongi547]

The Car Wizard cringed when you used the AC can. LOL

[@theodoreolson8529]

I had a 95 mighty max. Ran great, 5 speed. No a/c. I paid $1500 sold it for $2000 2 years later. Only big problem was the bushings on the control arms were shot...would not take an alignment. That said....everybody wants a Tacoma. Mitsubishis are good trucks that nobody wants.

[@jeremywimer8842]

I just finished rebuilding the engine in my 1980 D50 Sport 5 speed (Mitsubishi 2.6l G54B) they are great little trucks!

[@senorspiegel]

Ah man! Can't believe you got rid of this truck! It's ready for 20 years of daily

[@WeaselBurrito]

I had an 87 D50 that was super clean. Had full gauges, bucket seats, AC and the same grandpa shell. It was an "alley find", had been parked for several years. Cost me $5 to get it running (fuel pump isolator), about $250 to get roadworthy (new tires and clutch). Truck was super clean inside and out. Used it as a work truck for about 2 years and sold it for $1,000 after it developed the same problem you briefly mentioned (randomly shutting off). I paid zero dollars for the truck (did about $100 in electrical work for the owner in exchange for the title and keys).

[@mattparoz4246]

What a tidy little Ute, and a canopy too (topper for you yanks) . We got em in Australia as well as a Mitsubishi L200. Also came out as a 4X4 too.. 🇦🇺🤙🏻

[@williambrown319]

1k...you flat out stole that

[@DSG-br5lk]

Yeah, as soon as I saw that, I thought "they'll flip it in a day"

[@ericpatton7767]

Ikr I have been looking for a good one of these trucks for years. Living in Wisconsin it's basically impossible.

[@MrAdrianoandrade]

Beautiful!! I had a yellow 90 Nissan D21. Same style, survivor. Miss it so much!

[@frankm8533]

That's a gem!! My uncle had a 83 4spd Ram50 drove it from 1990 until 2006 when it was parked then in 2016 went to scrap yard it completely rusted in half. We hit the breaks one day in 2006 and the cab slide forward 6-8 inches off the frame from rust

[@mickeyrousseau9575]

I had a 1980 dodge d 50 version back in 1990, such a good little truck . Nice find

[@misterjag]

Had an '86 Mazda B2000 myself. Was a great little truck.

[@TOM-C.]

Back in the day, I owned a 91 Mustang GT, a 95 Maxima, a 91 dodge ram full size, and finally, a Mitsubishi Mighty Max that was the slowest dang vehicle I have ever driven, but it was my favorite of all the cars I owned at the same time, I would most often drive that little truck. lol

[@digitalfootballer9032]

That truck is remarkably clean for its age. I remember seeing these all over the road about 25 years ago, but very few are left. You got quite a bargain.

[@edwardndriskoll]

You lucky bastard. A gem. I had the 4wd 3.6 single cab in my youth. Love that thing.

[@julianmartinez850]

I love this truck, is so simple, good reliability, thanks god people like you find this treasure, spent you time to repair or fix and go back to the road

[@faliray4889]

Oh my God what a beautiful truck. When I was 16 Mitsubishi and Chrysler were closely tied together and I was a big fan of both. I love small trucks. This video makes me want to go out and buy a small truck. Thanks Jr.

[@Robsav-yx6vi]

Great work. What a great old truck . Enjoyed watching JR . Best wishes buddy

[@batwood8010]

Owned one! Dodge Ram 50. Loved it. Sold for more than I paid for it way back in the day. Seemed indestructible.

[@LastHumansGarage]

i knew a guy who had a might max like that in 1994.. it had a KILLER PPI stereo setup with 3 PPI amps, two 12" woofs behind the seat in a custom box. and the entire PPI setup interconnected w DIN cables. still remains the best stereo i ever heard in my life. his name was Fred Rosetti.

[@Mr.M1STER]

Those little rain x kits are really good. I used one on a pretty bit chip before and it did such a good job. There is still a tiny speck where the chip used to be but it looks a thousand times better and the integrity of the glass has been restored and that should prevent any cracks forming.

[@karenwallace5855]

I own a 1994 Mighty Max Sport Truck and it is the best vehicle I've ever had. Bought it brand new and it has 285,000 miles on it. Knock on wood. I would buy one if I ever came across another. You got a good deal guys. Mine still drives great and has awesome speed and pickup on it. 5 speed.

[@thedunnski]

Dude, that little thing was bad ass. I would have totally kept it for a while. Knowing me, I would not have left it stock lol

[@oregonziggy2391]

My first car was 1983.5 Nissan king-cab. 5 speed 2.4 liter. 2 wheel drive. Indestructible

[@kevinb158]

My first truck was a 87 isuzu pup space cab Sweet mighty Max good truck

[@MrJoebiz24]

Great video. Always unique every day drivers......thanks.

[@infovideos7355]

Great truck 👍 And good quick sale

[@grunkohlaktionar7474]

Finally Mitsubishi stuff on your channel! Put it on Cars and Bids!

[@202motors6]

Oh man! Can I buy this from you? My grandfather had a Dodge D50 “Sport”. Was so awesome.

[@JohnMiller-zn9pf]

@Clams McGee yes, dodge just put new badging on them. Nothing else was changed. All the way to 93 when they stopped selling them

[@JBPlaysGames1]

@@JohnMiller-zn9pf I'm assuming he was asking if it was this generation or the second gen as the D50 spanned the first 2.

[@pkt1213]

I came here to make this comment too. I learned to drive a manual (not well for a 6' tall 13 year old) in my grandpa's D50. I think he had an 1983. This video came on and I was telling me wife about it. For $1,000, I would have bought it and brought it home without telling my wife. It's so I can take it to Lowes.

[@HoffmansHoopties]

I'm sure we'll see it on cars&bids soon for $15,000

[@RFJersey]

Runco990 Only fool would pay that much for those trucks.

[@sirsteele]

Wow... this reminds me of my first truck-- a 1984 "Datsun/Nissan" 720 (it was the year that they changed the name). I bought it brand new with 14 miles on it for $7200... it was bare-bones stock... the only option was air conditioning (necessary in Mobile, AL!) It not only did not have a radio... it didn't even have a hole in the fender to mount the antenna! 2.4L 4 cylinder with 5 speed manual transmission; it had the NAPS-Z "anti-pollution" system which meant that it had 2 spark plugs per cylinder with 2 coils. I drove it for 13 years, and traded it in on a used 1995 Mitsubishi Expo LRV (the mini-minivan). But that's a whole 'nother story!

[@JO-ku1uc]

Really cool video. What a sweet old truck. I love the white cab. Plus only 24,000 miles. I hope your friend gets a lot of enjoyment from it.

[@robdusher357]

My father had the same Mitsubishi, painted to match his van. Called it his race car. Dad's gone, I miss that truck.

[@Westy73]

Nice find! I totaled one of those in 1994 delivering pizza in college. Good times.

[@harrisonhunter7512]

A true survivor truck what a beaut,Someone is going to love his ol truck for sure 👍

[@dirtbikeguy8993]

I had an 86 d50. Black and gold. Loved that truck.

[@zwebslinger3526]

I had that exact same truck, same year, same color. LOVED it.

[@mrpoohbearlvr]

Freaking SWEET RIDE!!! I loved mine. Miss it a lot. Not a stupid computer controlled, over stuffed 'rolling living room/office',for $60K. A truck from when guys still had BALLS. (You know what I mean) Just a real working guys truck. And still almost showroom new, says a lot for Mitsubishi, from the past.

[@tommyboy3261]

What a great find I drove one for 15 years mine rotted away. Good job

[@bullieboi]

WOW, what a great truck and a great flip!!! I need to find deals like this!!

[@djuell01]

Man that truck will last longer than us on this planet. Great fun video.

[@cameronlovesevolve]

oh my goddd that head unit.. and the wide band! some friggin cute

[@ScottJ175]

You've inspired me to attempt a windshield repair. I spent $350 a couple months ago on a new windshield for my Matrix and two weeks later a box truck with no mudflaps on the interstate threw a rock and chipped it. I was going to pay a shop but your parking lot repair went so well I'm going to try myself.

[@paulkane2391]

Awesome flip. Good job, well done.

[@vamosaltemacongabrielmende3965]

I currently have a 1986 Toyota pick up with a 22R engine in my house in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷. I purchased new back in August of 86 when I was in college. Will probably ship it to my house in Florida next year.

[@sideshow1297]

Haha that thing mirrored the one my dad bought new in '86. I think the factory color was called Fire Engine Red. His topper looked a lot like that one too. I got to drive it, the 5 speed was great and the thing was just fun to drive. Not your problem now, but with those engines the timing belt or chain (I don't remember what it had) needed to get done right at 60k or it was a problem. We learned that the hard way and sadly it snapped at 68k. That was the end of the road for it but good memories. Thanks for posting!

[@MrJimbo666]

That was a good flip! Nice truck!

[@stimpmeister]

My first new car was an 85 Mighty Max Sport. Damn good little truck!

[@mindofgannon915]

Love this channel

[@ajw828]

Amazing truck! What a find at that price! Definitely an epic flip.

[@ZoruaZorroark]

we used to own a 91 mighty max, manual, no power steering, transmission clanged whenever it was put into reverse, but it was a trooper for the 12 years we had it

[@judsonr1]

Great find!

[@dave11686]

Very cool! You don’t see those anymore

[@rantonbro]

i had a blue one for 22 years,gave it to my son for his first car.about a year later he knocked a hole in the pan,out hunting and locked up the motor, sold to to a guy wanting to rebuild it father and son project, it is on the road again.

[@benplayshq6172]

Fairly new to your channel but love watching your videos, Keep up the awesome videos(:

[@boaterslisttv]

What a bargain! As a pawn shop guy I know that Icom, if working it's worth like $200 by itself!

[@nr552]

It's a clearance fit engine-- belt replacement 60k miles-- or wait until it breaks. Then replace the belt. Will not damage the cyl head/valves. -- rear output seal on the transmission are notorious for their leaks. Will fling trans fluid and you won't see a puddle. Had mine replaced 3 times under warranty

[@scottjrichter]

This thing brings back memories of my dads 79 D50. Same color too. Bought it new and drove it 12 years until it totally rusted away.

[@bmused55]

"It's pretty quick... for a 2 litre" Probably because at the time it was made, Japanese and European cars were getting the same horsepower out of 2 litres that American manufacturer engines needed a V8 to achieve!

[@Trance88]

Crazy how someone was hanging onto this truck for so long and hardly ever drove it! Less than 1000 miles a year! On that same note (old low mileage cars), my roommate just bought a 2002 Saturn L200 with only 54K miles on it. It's like a brand new car on the inside!

[@richc9503]

Wow, I had an 88 Dodge D50 about 10/12 yrs ago. It was a great little truck. No AC so I installed a sliding back window, the glass guy said to save the window because they were not available (just in case). I sold the truck 7/8 yrs ago but still have the back glass if anyone needs it. I hate to pitch it but I'm sick of storing it. Anyone out there needs it comment on this!

[@michaelduffek2866]

these trucks are so cool! nice find!

[@tomdelisle8955]

I had a 1984 Mitsubishi 4x4, great truck, still miss it, and it was the first among my friends with semi-auto locking hubs.

[@RKHarm24]

I had a 1979 Dodge D50 Sport. Black with strobe stripe on sides and yellow wheels. 2.6 w/5spd. Awesome vehicle.

[@staffoffice]

$3,000 is still a bargain for that! That truck will run for years with zero problems!

[@legendsofcaraudiobradnewso8424]

Your content is always great man! Need a old school system in that thing! LOL

[@zxggwrt]

That is an awesome truck find👍

[@mikedrop4421]

Omg, my dad was hired to be a tech for Mitsu during their first wave of dealership openings in 1980ish and spent 30 years with them. He bought an identical truck, color and all in '85 and I grew up playing in the bed of that truck and bought my own when I turned 16

[@WCW4469]

Cool little truck. I have always wanted a Ford Courier, don't know why but I think they are kind of old school cool. Great content!

[@eightycutty]

My dad had the D50 version & put close to 300K on it. He was driving about 160 miles round trip & super religious on servicing it He got 3 blocks from home one day when the head gasket gave out.