Just purchased my first truck! 1988 Mighty Max 4WD 5 Speed

[Evelyn_]

Hi everyone! I just picked up this 5 speed 4WD Mighty Max and I'm super excited to start working on it! I was originally looking to buy a parts hauler truck, but I've absolutely fallen in love with this one and now I'm planning on making it into an even better offroading truck than it already is

[geezer101]

Hi and welcome to mightyram. You have a great catch there. The PO clearly loved this truck and had put some cash into keeping it in good shape. If you haven't got it off road yet, it'll surprise you. They are a more than capable off-roader. Hopefully there aren't any real issues with it as a lot of these trucks end up being delegated to beater duties.

[camoit]

These are great little trucks as long as you keep up on the maintenance.
not much you can do to make it more 4WD other then a body lift. Bigger tires and rims will kill the truck. So please don’t do it. Stock is the best. It takes skill to drive an old car. New cars beep and warn you of dangers. Not this truck.
Most people get a new to them truck and drive it like it’s new. Please read through this thread and make it tip top.
http://www.mightyram50.net/vbulletin...and-do-it-ASAP

[Geoff]

Welcome! Great truck! I’m a little jealous of the extended cab. I like the tire/wheel combo. I’m hoping to upgrade to something similar soon.

-Geoff

[Evelyn_]

Thank you! The previous owner is a great dude who put a lot of love into the truck. From the bit of offroading I've done so far, this truck has been incredible!

[Evelyn_]

These are great little trucks as long as you keep up on the maintenance.
not much you can do to make it more 4WD other then a body lift. Bigger tires and rims will kill the truck. So please don’t do it. Stock is the best. It takes skill to drive an old car. New cars beep and warn you of dangers. Not this truck.
Most people get a new to them truck and drive it like it’s new. Please read through this thread and make it tip top.
http://www.mightyram50.net/vbulletin...and-do-it-ASAP

Absolutely. I've owned several older vehicles and I'm gonna take care of her for sure. I'm pretty happy with it in terms of 4WD and I think the only thing I may end up doing is swapping in a Montero Sport rear axle and springs, and maybe some longer gears, but otherwise everything I've done so far is maintenance. When I picked up the truck I did the U-joints and adjusted the clutch cable since it was a bit loose and keeping the clutch from engaging perfectly. It occasionally keeps trying to fire for a second when I turn it off, and I suspect the timing may be a tooth or two too far advanced, but that's a project for a weekend when it isn't raining lol.

[Evelyn_]

These are great little trucks as long as you keep up on the maintenance.
not much you can do to make it more 4WD other then a body lift. Bigger tires and rims will kill the truck. So please don’t do it. Stock is the best. It takes skill to drive an old car. New cars beep and warn you of dangers. Not this truck.
Most people get a new to them truck and drive it like it’s new. Please read through this thread and make it tip top.
http://www.mightyram50.net/vbulletin...and-do-it-ASAP

Absolutely. I've owned a good few older vehicles and I'm planning on treating her well! So far, I'm extremely happy in terms of the offroading experience and don't have any plans to mess with that other than potentially putting a Montero Sport rear axle and springs in it, maybe with longer gears. All the work I've done to it so far is maintenance (Shifter Bushings, U Joints, and adjusting the clutch cable), but the truck has been dieseling for a second or two every now and then when I turn it off, so I'm planning on taking the next dry weekend to check the timing and adjust it back a tooth or two if I need to.