Mitsubishi Trucks Mighty Max Tires

Mitsubishi Trucks Mighty Max trucks use 800-14, 185R14, and GR78-15 for 1983 through 1986; 195/75R14, 205/75R14, 205/75R15, and 225/75R15 for 1987; 195/75R14, 205/75R14, and 225/75R15 for 1988 through 1991; 195/75R15, 205/70R14, and 225/75R15 for 1992; 195/75R14, 205/75R14, and 225/75R15 for 1993 through 1994; and 195/75R14 for 1995 through 1996. The listed rim diameters are 14 inches for 800-14, 185R14, 195/75R14, 205/75R14, and 205/70R14, and 15 inches for GR78-15, 205/75R15, 195/75R15, and 225/75R15.

The practical takeaway is that year alone is not always enough, especially in the early and middle years when multiple sizes appear side by side. Check the wheel diameter stamped on the wheel or read the size on the existing tire before choosing between the 14-inch and 15-inch groups.

An 800-14 tire on a Mitsubishi Trucks Mighty Max is an older numeric bias-ply size. The 800 designates a nominal section width of 8.00 inches, and the 14 designates the wheel diameter, so the available products for that size fit 14-inch rims and are bias-ply construction.

That size appears only in 1983 through 1986, and it belongs to the earlier end of the Mighty Max range where older sizing conventions still overlapped with radial alternatives. If your truck currently carries 800-14, keep in mind that it is not interchangeable by name with the metric or alphanumeric sizes without first confirming the wheel diameter and intended look.

The 1987 Mitsubishi Trucks Mighty Max is one of the split years in the range, with 195/75R14 and 205/75R14 on 14-inch wheels and 205/75R15 and 225/75R15 on 15-inch wheels. The multiple listings reflect different wheel packages rather than a single universal tire size for every 1987 truck.

That means a 1987 owner should identify the truck’s actual wheel diameter first and then narrow the choice to the correct 14-inch or 15-inch size family. Once the diameter is confirmed, the remaining decision is usually whether the truck needs the narrower or wider section width shown for that specific setup.

Mitsubishi Trucks Mighty Max trucks in this range use both 14-inch and 15-inch wheel diameters. The 14-inch group includes 800-14, 185R14, 195/75R14, 205/75R14, and 205/70R14, while the 15-inch group includes GR78-15, 205/75R15, 195/75R15, and 225/75R15.

Because both diameters appear across several overlapping years, the wheel itself matters more than assumption by model year. A truck that has changed wheels over time may no longer match its original year-based listing, so confirming the actual rim diameter on the vehicle is the cleanest way to avoid a mismatch.

A 1992 Mitsubishi Trucks Mighty Max can use 195/75R15, 205/70R14, or 225/75R15, so that year spans both 14-inch and 15-inch wheel applications. The correct choice depends first on whether the truck has 14-inch or 15-inch wheels, then on which of the listed section widths and profiles matches the vehicle’s configuration.

Start with the tire currently on the truck if it is known to be correct, then verify the wheel diameter directly at the rim. If the truck is being restored or has changed hands several times, compare the existing setup against factory literature or a Mitsubishi truck specialist before settling on the final size.

Mitsubishi Trucks Mighty Max tires in the available sizes include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, redline, dual-redline, goldline, and RWL sidewall styles. Sidewall choice varies by size, with some early sizes offering bias-ply blackwall or whitewall options and many later metric radial sizes offering several whitewall widths plus selected performance-style sidewalls.

That variety lets an owner choose between a more understated work-truck look and a stronger period-custom appearance. If visual authenticity matters, match the sidewall style to the truck’s era and presentation goal rather than choosing by size alone, since the same wheel diameter may be offered with very different cosmetic treatments.

Available Mitsubishi Trucks Mighty Max tires are offered by BFGoodrich, Universal Vintage Tire, Goodyear, Michelin, Phoenix, Vredestein, Coker Classic, Tornel, Maxxis, American Classic, and Travelstar. Brand availability changes by size, with the early 800-14 group leaning toward bias-ply offerings and the later metric sizes carrying a broader mix of radial options.

The most useful approach is to identify the correct size first and then compare the brands available in that size for sidewall style, construction, and overall presentation. Brand choice on a collector-oriented compact pickup often comes down to whether the goal is a plain blackwall, a period whitewall look, or a more customized redline or goldline appearance.

Mitsubishi Trucks Mighty Max sizes are offered in several distinct series, including Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Universal Classic Bias Ply, Custom Super Cushion, Michelin MXV, Sprint Classic, Star Series, Tornel Classic, Classic Whitewall MA-1, American Classic Radial, Silvertown Radial, Coker Classic Radial, UN106, Radial T/A, and Michelin XWX. The major difference is construction approach and presentation: some are bias-ply period-style tires, while others are modern radial designs offered in blackwall, whitewall, or specialty sidewall treatments.

For an early truck, the choice may involve deciding between an older-style bias-ply appearance and a radial alternative in the same year range. For later trucks, the series difference is usually more about sidewall styling, tread character, and brand preference within a metric radial size that already matches the required wheel diameter.

A Mitsubishi Trucks Mighty Max should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, and ozone-producing equipment. Tire life on collector and hobby vehicles is helped by keeping inflation at the proper level, rolling the truck occasionally, and avoiding long periods parked on hot concrete or damp ground.

If the truck sits for extended stretches, moving it periodically helps reduce flat spotting and sidewall stress. Owners who keep a Mighty Max as a low-use survivor, show truck, or restored compact pickup should treat storage conditions as part of tire preservation, not just a general vehicle-care detail.

Tires on a Mitsubishi Trucks Mighty Max should be inspected regularly even if the truck is driven only occasionally. A good collector-vehicle routine is to inspect before each drive and to do a more thorough check several times a year for pressure loss, sidewall cracking, tread separation, impact damage, and uneven wear that may point to alignment or suspension issues.

That schedule matters on older compact trucks because low annual mileage can hide aging problems until the vehicle is finally driven at speed. Pay special attention to trucks that still wear older-style bias-ply fitments, unusual sidewall treatments, or tires that have been on the vehicle for many years without much visible tread wear.

Tires on a Mitsubishi Trucks Mighty Max should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, vibration, impact damage, or structural deterioration appear, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector-vehicle tires often age out long before they wear out, and visible tread alone is not a reliable measure of serviceability on a low-mileage truck.

The practical rule is to judge the tire as a whole assembly rather than by tread depth alone. If a Mighty Max has sat for long periods, has uncertain tire age, or shows signs of sidewall weathering, replacement is usually the wiser course before putting the truck back into regular road use.

Original-type fitment on the Mitsubishi Trucks Mighty Max was not limited to a single size across the full 1983-1996 range. The early years use 800-14, 185R14, and GR78-15, while later years move into 195/75R14, 205/75R14, 205/75R15, 225/75R15, 195/75R15, and 205/70R14 depending on year and wheel package.

For restoration work, the most accurate method is to match the truck’s production year and actual wheel diameter first, then verify against factory literature, original window-sticker material, or marque-specific references if available. That approach is especially important on a Mighty Max because multiple size families overlap within the same production era.

Correct tire fitment can affect both presentation and credibility on a Mitsubishi Trucks Mighty Max, especially on preserved early trucks and period-style restorations. Size, sidewall treatment, and overall stance all influence whether the truck looks era-appropriate, and judges or knowledgeable buyers often notice when wheel diameter or sidewall style does not match the vehicle’s intended period character.

The effect is usually strongest when a truck is being presented as highly original or carefully restored rather than casually modified. If show judging matters, align the tire choice with the correct year range, wheel diameter, and visual style, and use marque clubs or original sales material as the final reference for authenticity.

Mitsubishi Trucks Mighty Max restoration choices can include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and in some later metric sizes redline, dual-redline, goldline, or RWL. The most conservative restoration look for a compact pickup from this period is usually blackwall or a restrained whitewall, while the more graphic sidewall treatments suit a period-custom or personalized presentation.

The key is to match the sidewall style to the story the truck is telling. A straightforward preserved pickup typically benefits from a simple sidewall treatment, while a Mighty Max restored with era accessories or custom touches may look more coherent with one of the specialty sidewall options offered in the later radial sizes.

The available Mitsubishi Trucks Mighty Max tires are suitable for public-road use when the correct size is matched to the truck’s wheel diameter, the tires are in sound condition, and the vehicle itself is mechanically fit for service. Most later sizes listed for the Mighty Max are radial designs, while the earliest 800-14 offerings are bias-ply and should be treated with the driving expectations appropriate to that construction.

Safe road use depends on the entire package rather than the tire alone. Before regular driving, confirm inflation, inspect for age-related damage, and make sure the truck’s steering, brakes, wheel bearings, and suspension are in proper order so the chosen tire can perform as intended.

Before driving a Mitsubishi Trucks Mighty Max, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, lug torque, and whether all four tires match the intended size family for the wheel diameter on the truck. It is also wise to inspect for uneven wear, rubbing marks, or signs that the current tire size does not belong on the wheel fitted to the vehicle.

That last point matters because the Mighty Max range includes both 14-inch and 15-inch applications across overlapping years. A quick pre-drive walkaround can catch problems early, especially on a truck that spends long periods parked and only comes out for occasional use.

Appropriate speed for a Mitsubishi Trucks Mighty Max depends on the tire size, construction, age, and overall condition rather than the truck name alone. Later radial fitments generally support more normal modern-road use than early bias-ply choices, but any collector-oriented tire should be driven within its condition limits and with attention to load, inflation, and the truck’s mechanical state.

The practical approach is to build speed gradually and let the truck tell you how stable and comfortable it feels. If the Mighty Max wears older-style bias-ply tires, has been stored for long periods, or is newly returned to the road, conservative speeds and a careful shake-down drive are the smart way to begin.