The M422 "Mighty Mite" was built by AMC as a light weight truck for the US Marines. At 1,700 pounds, it is the lightest of the North American trucks, but still 100 pounds heavier than the German Kuebelwagen. An aluminum body helped keep the weight down.
The truck came in three models: the M422, M422A1 and M422A2. The M422 has a tiny 65 inch wheelbase. The M422A1 is six inches longer in both wheelbase and length and is 80 pounds heavier. The A1 also has a spare tire and a windshield from the M38A1. The A2 is 5 inches longer than the A1 and has a windshield from the M38. The A2 also has a toolbox behind the seats in front of the wheel well and a top with bows.
Model .............. AMC AV-108-4 Block .............. Air Cooled V4 Displacement ....... 108 cu. in. (1.8L) Horsepower ......... 52 bhp @ 3,600 rpm Torque ............. 90 lbs-ft @ 2,500 rpm Bore ............... 3 1/4 inch Stroke ............. 3 1/4 inch Compression ........ 7.5:1
The M422 uses a New Process Gear 4 speed transmission with overdrive. Like the M151, the transfer case only engages/disengages the front wheel drive and is part of the transmission.
The M422 has standard leaf springs on the front and leaf sprung trailing arms on the rear.