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)”
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
I hardly recognized it in civilian clothes.