1961 Mighty Mite M-422A1 Sacramento, CA $25k

UPDATE: Still Available.

Mark is selling his nice looking Mighty Mite.

https://www.facebook.com/commerce/products/1948-jeep-wagon/5922381401163723

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/d/el-dorado-hills-1961-m422a1-mighty-mite/7573260880.html

"Ground-up, well-sorted build for desert trail exploring/camping and forest service roads. Driven with respect for the 1/4 ton independent suspension driveline, this has proven capable on the mining roads of Nevada. 2,500 miles since build was completed in 2016. California-title with current ‘23 tags. Cruises readily at 50-55 mph.

Drivetrain
Built with a new VW 1.9L Turbo Diesel long block, new Bosch injection pump, K14 Turbo; and a new Jeep AX15 5-speed transmission. Rebuilt Spicer Model 18 transfer case with 3.2:1 Tera-Low gearing. Utilizes Acme & Novak adapters. Aluminum double-pass radiator. Toyota clutch assembly. Front & rear differentials fully rebuilt. Larger diameter Spicer rear-halfshaft assemblies.

Body & chassis
Leaf springs converted to coilover Fox units. 2 spare rims & tires. Toyota truck power steering box, disc brake conversion with Wilwood rotors/calipers & hydroboost. Aluminum body, epoxy primer & urethane satin paint. Powder coated frame/suspension arms/roll cage/rims etc. Easy-to-clean SEM 2-part urethane bedliner inside & undersides. 12 volt system, dual batteries.

Reproduction canvas winter top with side curtains & doors. Stainless fuel tank. Includes a plethora of spares.

Additional photos
https://forums.g503.com/viewtopic.php?f=100&t=333116 ( click on the images for full size photos)"

8 Comments

JWJanuary 1, 2023 at 11:53 PM
This looks like the same Mite I saw on expedition portal years ago. I think the owner has a build thread or a write-up of this Mite in action. Unless it’s a different tan, turbo diesel resto-mod Mighty Mite, I’m sure there are tons of them out there. I need to find that thread again. I love this thing, it’d be a lot of fun.
JWJanuary 2, 2023 at 1:07 AM
Found the build thread on expo portal: https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/m422a1-mighty-mite-diesel-build.119132/ Sweet Mite. Glad it’s not closer, I’d have to make an offer.
Mark PJanuary 2, 2023 at 1:43 AM
Yes it is the same rig I posted on ExpoPortal some years back. A longer description on the Mighty Mite forum. https://forums.g503.com/viewtopic.php?f=100&t=333116
Dave from MnJanuary 23, 2023 at 3:46 AM
Has anyone figured out the differentials. They are Dana 27’s but regular gears don’t fit? Friend was trying to regear but they wouldn’t fit.
Barney GoodwinJanuary 23, 2023 at 3:11 PM
Dave, Check with MVPA HQ for a member who specializes in them. Otherwise, look us up and we can put you in touch with someone.
Mark PetersonJanuary 24, 2023 at 2:17 AM
The Mite’s differentials are “modified Dana 27s", per the literature. I also tried to re-gear this rig to standard D27 4.27 gears to match the diesel; they would not fit. (turns out the 5.38s & 5spd overdrive are fine). The Spicer part numbers stamped on the mites ring&pinion do not cross over to anything I could locate for CJs or IH Scout 80s. Depot rebuilds of Mite differential assemblies are available. I speculate the Ring gears were thinned about .100”-.150” on the backside to permit the maximum lengths of the rear 1/2 shafts.
mark petersonFebruary 8, 2023 at 4:26 PM
Links have expired. New ones here https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/d/el-dorado-hills-1961-m422a1-mighty-mite/7586416752.html https://forums.g503.com/viewtopic.php?f=100&t=333116 https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/730010065214000
JohnBFebruary 8, 2023 at 7:11 PM
I hardly recognized it in civilian clothes.