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Mike Shatto’s 623,000-mile 1998 Dodge Dakota

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Mike Shatto's 623,000-mile 1998 Dodge Dakota

by Jessica Eustice

Mike Shatto named his 1998 Dodge Dakota "Truckie" when it was new. He finally sold it at 623,000 miles.

Speedometer Odometer Auto part Gauge Vehicle


The V6 engine was a 3.9 liter, based on the old 318 V8 engines; the automatic was a three-speed TorqueFlite. The truck averaged 18 mpg, but got up to 23 on long runs (like a trip to Los Angeles that included crossing "The Grapevine" at altitudes of over 7,000 ft.)

Newsprint News Receipt Paper Document


How did he keep the truck going and going?

Mike Shatto reported that one secret was Amsoil Series 2000 0W-30 oil run through an Amsoil remote bypass filter, mounted under the bed. He changed the filter at 20,000 miles, and used oil analysis every 40,000 miles, which allowed running up to 100,000 miles between changes. The automatic transmission fluid was also changed at three times the manufacturer's recommended intervals.
Shatto said he became an Amsoil dealer so he could get a discount on the products.

Auto part Bumper Automotive exterior


Shatto replaced 2 alternators, countless spark plugs, distributor caps and rotors, brake pads, four or five water pumps, the radiator, and the heater core, by himself. His mechanic, Dexter, had to get involved for serious jobs like replacing the cracked cylinder heads with burned-out valves at 350,000 miles. Dexter and Mike, looking inside the cylinders, were delighted to find the hatch marks put there during manufacturing, showing a lack of wear.

Metal Rust


Mike wrote, "The valves and heads broke - having nothing to do with lubrication - and many mechanics think of this as replacement maintenance; not a major but a minor job."

Since the engine was apart, Shatto used the opportunity to install Gibson headers to complement the long-serving Jacobs electronic ignition, and Flowmaster Muffler. The plan was to maximize gas mileage.

Circle Photography Drink Auto part Stock photography


Another time, around 100,000 miles, Shatto experienced an engine surge when the vehicle was running on cruise control. Four dealers and two nationwide transmission shops told him he would need a new transmission, but an oil analysis found nothing wrong with the transmission. It turned out that it was only the throttle position sensor. While at one point the transmission solenoids were replaced, Mike wrote, "The transmission solenoids are electronics. Mechanically, there was never anything wrong."



Metal Brass Circuit component


Shatto used the Dakota mainly for courier work, driving anywhere from 150 to 350 miles a day on freeways and city streets in the giant basin bounded by Sacramento, Modesto, San Francisco and Monterey. Occasionally he drove it as far as Tempe, Phoenix and Boise, Idaho, taking it with the family on vacations in Oregon.

Some examples of the unusual cargo transported by "Truckie" include aircraft brakes, envelopes, blood samples, soil samples, groceries, printers proofs, booze, food for a caterer, chain (rigging for pile-drivers), political pamphlets, pharmacy deliveries to the home, blood, and even a human liver for transplant.

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Shatto told of carrying a snowboard for a commercial being filmed at a ski resort near Lake Tahoe. The board had a picture of Barbie Benton on it, and tasteful though Shatto says the picture was, he was compelled, as a good driver and a gentleman, to keep his eyes straight ahead, focusing only on the road.

Michael Shatto provided these photos, gas station receipts, registration and vehicle inspection documents, and repair records, which provided a healthy proof that his Dakota does indeed have the mileage he claimed.


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