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1992 Custom Mitsubishi Mighty Max

October 30, 2023 By Gauge Magazine

1992 Mitsubishi Mighty Max

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Issue
November 2023
Owner
Justin Wyatt
Ride
Tri-Star
(1992 Mitsubishi Mighty Max)
Meaning Behind the Name
Not only am I from Tennessee but this is the third time this vehicle had been finished fully and each time itโ€™s been a star.
Photographer
Chris Gosda

Ride Details

Original Cost
$3300
Build Cost
My wife may be reading this sorry.
What was the inspiration?
minitrucks from the 90s that were clean and simple.
How long did it take you to build?
22 years and counting.
How long have you been building?
This rendition is 2 years in the making.
Club Affiliations
Negative Camber Worlds Lowest
Your future plans?
Build my sons Mitsubishi Mighty Max to continue the next generation.
Vehicle history
I bought this truck two weeks before I turned 16 , it was lowered 3 inches with cut coils and blocks solid black with dual exhaust and a set of 15 inch eagle alloy slanted five stars.
Thanks to
My wife for never saying no only we will make it work, mom and dad for all the support especially dad for never letting me give up and always helping me make the truck better.Bobby Wilson for helping me build the bed. Jason McCracken for the interior and all the support, Jeremy Carroll for a great job that helps me feed my family and rebuild my truck, Jeremy Dickerson for never ever letting me give up and always coming to help me when I didnโ€™t know what I was gonna do. You truely helped me make lemonade out of lemons. All my Negative Camber guys for having the best rides in the Country to inspire and push me. Mike and Tim Goss for doing the bodywork and painting the bed. Adam Q for painting the cab. Nate Wimmer and anyone who let me share my progress with them and not showing anyone. Last bit not least both my boys for loving the truck almost as much as I do.
Previous Rides
Numerous mazda b series, a few Nissans and a handful of Mighty maxs but nothing that ever kept me interested long enough to forget about my true love the truck you see here.

Engine Details

Make
Mitsubishi 1995
Cylinders
4
Displacement
2.4L
Engine Mods
Eagle rods and pistons, eagle cam, Bigger injectors, balance shaft belt delete, shaved head, pacesetter header.
Engine Add Ons
Custom made air intake, powder coated Valve Cover by Black Label Coatings, NGK Plugs and Wires, Aluminum Radiator and overflow, Billet battery tray and Optima Battery.

Driveline Details

Axle
90 Toyota Pickup rearend from Automatic truck.

Chassis Details

Chassis
Bagged all the way around with a 4 link and redone crossmembers.
Mods to Frame
Painted Front to back, 6 inch โ€œVโ€ notch, rebuilt crossmembers, 4 link, custom tension rods in front.
Frame Builder
Josh Long and Owner.
Drop or lift inches
2.5 inch Bodydrop.
Front Shocks
Belltech.
Rear Shocks
Monroe
Spindles
2 inch Chassis Tech
Springs
Airbags
Four Link
Pete and Jakeโ€™s triangulated.
Compressor Info
2 Viair 480s.
Valve Info
Airlift 3P
Airbag Info
Firestone 2500 lb bags front, Firestone 2600 lb bags rear.
Other Mods
Aluminum fuel cell.
Chrome, Paint, or Polish
Chassis painted black with Audi Brilliant Red 4 link, air tanks, bridge and shocks. Motor and transmission painted Audi Brilliant Red as well.

Wheels Details

Front Wheel Type
Bonspeed Sweep
Rear Wheel Type
Bonspeed Sweep
Front Wheel Size
18x7
Rear Wheel Size
18x7
Front Tire Size
215/35
Rear Tire Size
215/35

Paint Details

Color
Audi Brilliant Red
Paint Type
Chromax
Painted By
Adam Quessenberry, Mike and Travis Goss
Graphics By

Body Details

Body Drop
2.5 inches
Hood
Shaved Body line and Mitsubishi Exliose hood bubble.
Grille
Factory grill shell with billet inserts in grill and over headlights.
Bumpers
95 Mitsubishi Mighty Max.
Addon Accessories
Clear corner and bumper lights, Australian tailights with amber deleted.
Body Mods
Shaved door handles, wiper cowl, mirrors,emblems,bed seams, custom built tailgate by Jamey Tiffany, smooth roll pan, sheet metal bed by Bobby Wilson, Jeremy Dickerson and Owner,
Body Mods by
Adam Quessenberry, Mike and Travis Goss.

Interior Details

Dashboard
Factory with Fiberglass cover.
Gauges
Factory Sport model gauge with tach.
Steering Wheel
Colorado Customs Sing Sing
Head Unit
Pioneer BHT-280
Amps
Rockford Fosgate 500x4
Speakers
Focal mid bass, kenwood tweaters and Rockford Fosgate 10 inch sub behind seat.
Stereo Installed by
Owner.
Shifter
Factory.
Seats
Factory bench seat.
Tint Percent
50% all around.
Trunk or Bed
Sheet metal bed with Raptor color matched Bedliner..
Upholstery Description
Full custom interior using vinyl, suede and relicate plaid from a VW Jetta.
Upholstery Description
Billet vents, door handles and power windows.
Upholstery By
David Corn and Jason McCracken

“Tri-Star”

1992 Mitsubishi Mighty Max

In the heart of Tennessee, where the spirit of persistence resonates, Justin Wyatt’s 1992 Custom Mitsubishi Mighty Max, aptly named “Tri-Star,” stands as a testament to his dedication and love for minitrucks. This is more than just a vehicle; it’s a story of passion, a 22-year journey of constant evolution, and a family legacy in the making.

The Genesis of Tri-Star

Justin purchased the Mighty Max at 15, two weeks shy of his 16th birthday. Originally lowered with a modest setup, this truck was destined for more. The name “Tri-Star” isn’t just a nod to Justin’s Tennessee roots; it symbolizes the three major phases of the vehicle’s transformation, each iteration outshining the last.

A Dream Molded in Steel and Sweat

Tri-Star reflects Justin’s inspiration drawn from the 90s minitrucks – an era marked by clean, straightforward designs. Unlike other fleeting interests, this Mighty Max was special, captivating Justin’s attention and remaining his “true love” through numerous automotive flirtations.

Under the Hood

Tri-Star’s heart is a 1995 Mitsubishi 2.4L engine, enhanced with Eagle rods and pistons, a bigger injector, and a custom-made air intake, among other mods. A balance shaft belt delete and a shaved head suggest Justin’s attention to both performance and detail. The vehicle breathes through NGK plugs and wires, staying cool with an aluminum radiator.

Stance and Style

The chassis, bagged all around with a 4 link and revamped crossmembers, showcases the truck’s formidable stance. The body, dropped 2.5 inches, paired with Firestone airbags and Belltech front shocks, ensures that Tri-Star doesnโ€™t just look good – it rides well, too.

A Canvas of Audi Brilliant Red

The Mighty Max dazzles in an Audi Brilliant Red, a choice that exemplifies boldness and beauty. Details like the shaved door handles, custom-built tailgate, and a Mitsubishi Exliose hood bubble add uniqueness to its classic form.

Interior: A Mix of Function and Elegance

Inside, Tri-Star boasts a custom interior blending vinyl, suede, and VW Jetta plaid, anchored by a Pioneer BHT-280 head unit and Rockford Fosgate sound system. The mix of practicality and luxury creates an environment as thrilling as the truck’s exterior.

More Than Metal

The build, costing well beyond the initial $3300, is a secret Justin jests he might keep from his wife. But beyond the financials, itโ€™s the personal connections – the thank-yous to family, friends, and club members from Negative Camber Worlds Lowest – that reveal the community and relationships built around Tri-Star.

The Road Ahead

Justin‘s future plans involve more than just maintaining Tri-Star. He dreams of passing on this legacy by building a Mitsubishi Mighty Max for his son, ensuring the flame of custom truck building burns across generations.

In Conclusion

Tri-Star isn’t just a vehicle; it’s a narrative of perseverance, community, and familial bonds, masterfully woven around a 1992 Mitsubishi Mighty Max. It’s a story of a man, a truck, and a relentless drive to create something timeless. Justin Wyatt, through his Tri-Star, doesn’t just show us how to build a truck; he shows us how to build a legacy.

Owned by: Justin Wyatt

Photos by: Chris Gosda


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Filed Under: Features, November 2023 Tagged With: 1992 Mitsubishi Mighty Max, Automotive DIY, Classic Car Restoration, Custom Car Enthusiasts


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