Should I be aware of some possible shortcomings of this year/model?
I remember seeing something in earlier treads that advised against any Cummings diesel after 1998 models.
This truck is clean as a whistle q-cab longbed Larami slt with just 45k miles on it and has the automatic. I'm planning for a cabover camper next and to just use it for recreation.

Welcome to the forum... I can't tell you about the engine. But be aware Chrysler transmissions have been problematic. Remember that Chrysler transmission fluid is different than GM's or Ford's. Even though the manual says you can use Dexron. I only use oem fluid in my minivan tranny.

Thanks for the input, Hosspuller. I never was a big fan of automatics and especially since they put in the overdrive, any rebuilding job is expensive.
Already driving at about 40mph the overdrive will shift in and out so I just turn it off.

The 98.5 introduced the 24 valve Cummins. Fuel economy dropped. There were some problems in the 98.5 and early 99, can't remember exactly what without some research. As Hosspuller was warning, the 47RE auto was not the best. It can be upgraded as most of the problems were typical torque converter. With those low miles, hopefully not a truck that towed much.

This is my first post as I just joined this site. I hope its okay to refer you to another site. I have been a member of the Turbo Diesel Register since 1994 and it is great for Dodge/Cummins Owners http://www.turbodieselregister.com/. Membership is $35.00 per year and there is a quarterly magazine stuffed with plenty of ideas and help,tecnical issues for all models of Cummins powered Dodges.
I have owned three Diesel powered Dodges. 1994, 2001.5 and now a 2006. The first was a 5 speed and the last two are six speeds. The first two were very reliable getting unloaded highway mileages of 23+ mpg for the '94 and 22+ mpg for the 01.5 The newest current vehicle is heavier with a very different fuel injection system and philosophy due to emissions (very quiet) which is not as efficient but squeeks out a tank at 20 mpg every once in awhile, unloaded of course but this is approx. 50% city and 50% Hwy. The transmission combination and rear axle are differnt so the final gearing is lower resulting in more engine rev's also

Out of the three, I liked the 01.5 the best, but this truck is growing on me slowly.

The only problem with the first 24 valves before common rail injection was some trucks had lift pump problems. Your truck has the VP 44 injection pump which is cooled by fuel, therefore if the lift pump is not supplying enough fuel the injection pump can fail $$$$$.
It would be a good idea to install a fuel pressure gauge past the lift pump and find out what the min pressure is so that if you begin to have low fuel pressures you can remedy this before the injection pump fails.

Having said that I knew of this problem and drove this truck 107,00 trouble free miles in a little over two years without installing a pressure gauge. Good luck with your I-6 CTD.

TDR is the best resourse for Dodge diesels. I've written 4 articles for their magazine.