New to me 1983 ranger diesel

[anchoredinchrist]

I just traded one of my VW Jettas for this neat old ranger diesel. It's a 1983 with the 2.2 liter Perkins diesel and a 4 speed. It has factory AC and power steering. Someone did a paint job on it some time back, but did a really bad job and or used really bad paint, because it's all faded, peeling and coming off. The body isn't perfect, but the frame isn't rusty and it only has a little bit of rust in the body. I'm debating on keeping it, or fixing it to resell. I have another gas ranger which I'd sell instead.
This one has some racing wheels on it with Goodyear eagle tires. Right now it's straight piped too.
I'm by no means new to diesels, since I'm a diesel mechanic and most of my many vehicles have been diesels. My dad also had a Mazda with the Perkins and I put one of the Mitsubishi 2.3 turbo diesels in a different Mazda pickup, but what are some resources and what are some problem areas of these trucks? What should i replace?

 

[anchoredinchrist]

Here's a couple photos.

 

[mofoco12]

Congrats. Not to highjack. I too bought an 83 2.2L 2x4 Ranger Diesel Weds. night. It has A/C but not P/S. Has a leak right now at what appears above the injector pump. Still have not looked as we have been busy. Its a longbed, but we are planning to chop the frame and install a shortbox.