83' gmc rearend questions?

[RapidRide2]

I have not purchased nor seen in person an 83' 1/2 ton gmc sierra 305ci. 700r-4(plan on going bowtie overdrives eventually) From pics the truck seems extremely clean. I have a feeling this truck has an open rearend. My question is Did GM offer lim. slip in 83' 1/2 tons??? Second of all ,,What size ring gear is in the factory 10-bolts in 83' Is it worth upgrading with a lim slip diff. and maybe gear change??? Or is it something like a 7.5 gm 10-bolts that were pretty anemic. I can't stand an open rearend in a pickup during wintertime. Thanks.

[jimfulco]

The '83 10-bolt is an 8.5" unit, the same one used in cars from the early '70s & trucks since '82. It's supposed to be almost as strong as the old 12-bolt used in musclecars, & you can get most any kind of gears & traction devices for it.

[RapidRide2]

Cool, thats what i was hoping for??? I know the 10-bolts 8.5's in the buick gn's and monte ss's were stronger than what some people think. I should be plenty strong with a set of after market lim. slip unit and gears with daily driver usage only