text: Engineering To keep the weight low, the M422 became the first U.S. jeep fitted with an aluminum body. At , it is the lightest conventional U.S. military truck to date. Also, this was the first U.S. small military vehicle designed with independent suspension all around (front: leading arms/trailing arms rear), sprung by ¼-elliptical leaf springs. Among the M422's many unique features were front and rear limited-slip differentials, inboard differential mounted drum brakes, center-point steering, and the aluminum "AMC AV-108-4" V4 engine developed by American Motors. The air-cooled  developed  and  of torque, which propelled the vehicle to a top speed of , with a  military rating. As with the M151, the single-speed transfer case only engages/disengages the front wheel drive and is part of the transmission. The full-synchronization meant it could be shifted from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive on the fly.
  Although a two-seater, the little vehicle could theoretically move six people. There were no conventional rear seats. Instead, the two additional seats are integrated into the functional tailgate, and two small folding backrests are placed on the top of the rear fenders. Additionally, the M422 was rated to carry  off-road, while all other standard military ton vehicles (even the M151) were rated at .
  There was a version of the M416 trailer specially adapted for towing by an M422: the M416B1. Early production M416B1 came with magnesium M151 wheels, that later switched to steel wheels as on the M422. Other features included USMC lifting rings and holders in front of the fenders to store aluminum water cans.
  Like other Marine Corps contract vehicles, the M422s came from the factory with all deep-water fording equipment installed, except for the pipes. In its early development stage the Marines developed a lightweight flotation kit that could easily be stored on the M422 when not in need, in which four large tubes inflated by exhaust encompassed the bottom part of the frame that allowed the vehicle to swim deeper waters. The vehicle's spinning wheels provided propulsion and steering in the water.