1986 Mitsubishi Trucks Tire Fitment Guide

1986 Mitsubishi Trucks vehicles use four sizes across two model lines: 800-14, 185R14, and GR78-15 for the Mighty Max, plus 215R15 for the Montero. The Mighty Max spans both 14-inch and 15-inch wheel diameters, while the Montero uses a 15-inch radial size. Where rim-width guidance is available, 800-14 fits 5.00 to 6.00-inch rims, and 185R14 spans roughly 4.00 to 6.50 inches depending on the tire.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose correctly. Start by identifying the model, then confirm whether the truck has 14-inch or 15-inch wheels, and finally match the exact size on the wheel or the tire already fitted. On a Mighty Max, the difference between 800-14 and 185R14 is not just construction; GR78-15 moves to a different wheel diameter entirely.

On a 1986 Mitsubishi Trucks Mighty Max, 800-14 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 8.00 refers to a nominal section width of about 8 inches, and the 14 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. This is an older American sizing style rather than a modern metric format, and it is tied here to bias-ply construction rather than radial construction.

That matters because a buyer comparing 800-14 with 185R14 is comparing more than two labels. The numeric bias-ply size delivers a more traditional look and driving character, while the metric radial alternative points in a different direction for on-road use. If your Mighty Max already wears 14-inch wheels, check the wheel width before moving between those two 14-inch sizes.

No. The 1986 Mitsubishi Trucks range splits by model, with the Mighty Max using 800-14, 185R14, or GR78-15 depending on application, while the Montero uses 215R15. Even within the Mighty Max line, the sizes are not all interchangeable because some are 14-inch fitments and one is a 15-inch fitment.

That model split is the biggest reason to confirm the truck first instead of choosing by year and make alone. A Montero owner should begin with 215R15, while a Mighty Max owner needs to identify whether the truck has a 14-inch or 15-inch wheel and whether the goal is to stay with a bias-ply style or a radial layout.

For a 1986 Mitsubishi Trucks Mighty Max on 14-inch wheels, the choice between 800-14 and 185R14 is mainly a choice between bias-ply and radial construction. The 800-14 follows an older numeric bias-ply pattern with blackwall and whitewall options, while the 185R14 uses a metric radial format and appears in blackwall and narrow whitewall versions, including H-rated examples with a 130 mph ceiling.

Owners pursuing a more traditional presentation often lean toward the bias-ply size, while owners who expect regular paved-road use often prefer the radial size. The wheel diameter stays the same at 14 inches, so the next step is confirming your rim width and deciding which look and construction better match how the truck will actually be used.

1986 Mitsubishi Trucks tires cover a fairly broad sidewall range in the Mighty Max 14-inch sizes. The 800-14 is available as blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, while the 185R14 appears in blackwall and narrow whitewall form. That gives Mighty Max owners room to tune the visual character of the truck without changing away from the correct basic size family.

For a mid-1980s Japanese pickup or SUV, blackwall is usually the most natural period look, especially for stock or utility-oriented presentation. Whitewall variations can still appeal to custom, regional, or personalized builds, but they change the visual tone quickly. If appearance matters as much as fitment, choose the sidewall style before narrowing to brand and tread pattern.

1986 Mitsubishi Trucks coverage includes BFGoodrich and Universal Vintage Tire in 800-14, plus Michelin, Phoenix, and Vredestein in 185R14. Those names span both vintage-style bias-ply offerings and more road-oriented radial choices. The available mix is strongest around the Mighty Max 14-inch sizes, where both construction types and multiple sidewall styles are represented.

Brand choice usually follows the kind of result you want. Some owners prioritize a traditional American collector-tire look, while others want a familiar European-style radial option in a metric size. Narrowing the correct size first keeps that brand decision meaningful, because the Montero's 215R15 and the Mighty Max's GR78-15 are separate fitment paths from the 14-inch options.

Rim-width guidance varies by size on 1986 Mitsubishi Trucks. The 800-14 bias-ply tires for the Mighty Max fit 5.00 to 6.00-inch rims in the BFGoodrich versions, while 185R14 radial options span from 4.00 to 6.50 inches depending on the specific tire. Michelin examples cover 4.00 to 6.50 or 4.5 to 6.5 inches, and Vredestein covers 4.5 to 6.0 inches.

That spread is wide enough that wheel measurement matters before ordering, especially if the truck has been changed from stock at some point. A 14-inch rim may accept more than one Mighty Max tire size, but the wheel still needs to fall within the approved width range for the specific tire you choose. Measure the wheel, not just the old tire sidewall.

Tube use on 1986 Mitsubishi Trucks depends on the exact size and tire. The 185R14 radial size includes tubeless examples marked TL, while some products in that size do not carry the same sidewall notation, so tube status can vary by product. The 800-14 bias-ply products do not carry a tubeless marking in their size notation, which makes careful product-by-product confirmation especially important before mounting.

Inner-tube decisions should always be made alongside the wheel type and the exact tire selected. Older wheel designs, restored rims, or vintage-style bias-ply applications may call for a different setup than a later tubeless radial. Check the tire's sidewall marking and confirm the wheel's condition and sealing surface before final assembly rather than assuming all products in the same size use the same arrangement.

Original 1986 Mitsubishi Trucks wheels can only be reused when the wheel diameter matches the tire size in question. On the Mighty Max, 800-14 and 185R14 both fit 14-inch wheels, but GR78-15 requires a 15-inch wheel. The Montero's 215R15 is also a 15-inch fitment, so a 14-inch wheel from a different application is not interchangeable with it.

The practical takeaway is simple: match wheel diameter first, then confirm wheel width against the chosen tire. A Mighty Max owner moving between the two 14-inch sizes may be able to stay on the same wheels, but that still depends on the wheel measuring within the approved width range for the specific tire. Diameter compatibility alone is not the whole fitment picture.

A 1986 Mitsubishi Trucks vehicle should be stored on clean, properly inflated tires in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment. Bias-ply tires such as the Mighty Max 800-14 tend to flat-spot more readily during long static storage than radials, so moving the truck periodically or supporting it appropriately during long-term storage can help preserve shape.

Good storage practice protects more than the tread. It also helps prevent sidewall drying, cracking, and uneven stress on an older suspension. If the truck will sit for months, roll it occasionally to change the contact patch, keep moisture away from the floor area, and inspect tire pressure before putting weight back into regular service.

On a 1986 Mitsubishi Trucks vehicle, tire age matters more than mileage in most collector or low-use situations. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they reach about five to seven years of age and to give serious replacement consideration around the ten-year mark, even if the tread still looks healthy. The DOT date code, if present, is the quickest way to establish the tire's age.

That age-based approach is especially important on vehicles that see occasional use, because old rubber can harden and deteriorate long before the tread wears out. If you have recently acquired a Mighty Max or Montero, confirm the age of every tire including the spare. A good-looking sidewall does not always mean the tire is still suitable for regular driving duty.

Tires on a 1986 Mitsubishi Trucks vehicle should be checked before every drive and inspected more thoroughly before longer outings or seasonal use. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, punctures, uneven wear, bulges, and pressure loss. On setups that use or may use tubes, valve stems and any signs of tube-related leakage deserve special attention as part of the inspection routine.

Frequent inspection is cheap insurance on an older truck or SUV, especially one that may sit for stretches between drives. A brief walk-around catches problems early and gives you time to address them before heat and highway speed make them worse. Include the spare in that routine, since a neglected spare is often the only backup available on a longer trip.

For a 1986 Mitsubishi Trucks Mighty Max, both 800-14 and 185R14 appear as 14-inch fitments, and GR78-15 appears as a 15-inch fitment depending on application. By the mid-1980s, radial tires were well established across mainstream light trucks and utility vehicles, although bias-ply options still matter today for owners who want a more traditional look or are restoring around a specific wheel-and-tire presentation.

Original-equipment details can vary by market, trim, drivetrain, and wheel package, so use the truck's surviving sidewall markings, factory literature, or a Mitsubishi marque specialist to confirm the exact delivery specification. For show restoration, getting the right size family, wheel diameter, and sidewall style usually matters more than choosing a tire that only looks approximately correct from a distance.

Correct tire fitment does matter when showing a 1986 Mitsubishi Trucks, especially if the truck is being judged for originality or period presentation. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the size, wheel diameter, construction type, and sidewall style suit the model and era. A blackwall radial on a stock-looking Montero may read naturally, while an obviously mismatched whitewall or the wrong wheel diameter can distract from an otherwise careful restoration.

The standard becomes stricter as the event becomes more authenticity-focused. If the goal is concours-style accuracy, confirm the exact size family your Mighty Max or Montero used and compare sidewall appearance against period photos or factory literature. Local clubs and marque experts are still the best source for event-specific judging expectations, especially where regional delivery differences may have existed.

Within the 185R14 radial fitment used on the 1986 Mitsubishi Trucks Mighty Max, Michelin MXV and Vredestein Sprint Classic differ in sidewall treatment, rim-width range, weight, and marked load details. Michelin appears in both blackwall and narrow whitewall versions, with rim-width coverage reaching as wide as 6.5 inches and H speed rating. Vredestein Sprint Classic appears as a blackwall 185HR14 with a 4.5 to 6.0-inch rim-width range and a marked load figure of 1,323 pounds at 51 psi.

That means the choice is not purely about brand name. Wheel width, desired sidewall appearance, and how closely you want the tire's visual character to match the truck all factor into the decision. If your Mighty Max has a wider 14-inch wheel, the approved rim-width range may narrow the field quickly before tread style or sidewall branding becomes the deciding factor.

1986 Mitsubishi Trucks tires can be appropriate for highway driving when the tire is the correct size, in sound condition, and used within its construction and speed limits. Among the known examples, 185R14 radial choices include H-rated versions with a 130 mph ceiling, while the 800-14 bias-ply size is a more traditional construction without the same modern speed-marking emphasis. In normal use, the truck's own age, braking system, suspension condition, and load state matter just as much as the tire itself.

For practical driving, a healthy radial setup usually aligns more naturally with regular highway use, while a bias-ply setup asks the driver to respect its vintage character. Either way, highway confidence starts with condition: proper inflation, no cracking or separation, balanced wheels, and a full inspection before the trip. A fresh tire cannot compensate for worn steering or brake components on an older truck.

Inflation pressure on 1986 Mitsubishi Trucks tires should follow the vehicle's factory recommendation first, then be checked against the tire manufacturer's marking for the exact product. The 800-14 bias-ply size carries a marked load figure of 1,620 pounds at 32 psi in BFGoodrich versions, while some 185R14 radials show 1,323 pounds at 35 psi or 1,323 pounds at 51 psi depending on the tire. Those figures describe the tire's load-and-pressure capability, not a universal setting for every application.

That distinction matters because running every tire at its maximum sidewall pressure can produce the wrong contact patch and ride behavior on a lighter vintage truck. Use the factory placard or owner's manual as the baseline for the vehicle, then confirm the selected tire's limits before making any final pressure choice. Pressure should also be checked cold, not after the truck has been driven.

Before a longer drive in a 1986 Mitsubishi Trucks vehicle, inspect every tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and proper cold inflation. Check the spare as carefully as the road tires, and pay close attention to valve stems and any tube-related setup if your tire and wheel combination uses one. On an older truck or SUV, that tire check should happen alongside a broader look at brakes, steering, fluids, belts, and lights.

Longer drives generate heat, and heat is where marginal tires often reveal hidden problems. A quick driveway inspection is useful, but a more deliberate pre-trip review is smarter if the truck has been parked for a while or recently returned to the road. If anything about the sidewall, tread, or pressure-holding behavior seems questionable, address it before the trip instead of hoping it settles in once underway.