Finally...

[Chrispbrown36]

So I finally got a chance to drain the rear end and take a look inside. Everything looked good, though the amount of lube that actually drained out seemed to be on the low side. I didn't bother counting the teeth to confirm that it is the gear ratio listed on the original invoice. I noticed that the diff cover had some sort or rubbery paint coating the outside....almost like Plasit-Dip. I didn't think much of it until I started cleaning out the diff cover. There were 3-4 small gouges on the inside of the cover....none of them seem to have broken through the cover, but I can't see why they would be there unless maybe the rear end blew up at one time, which makes me wonder if the rubbery coating on the outside was to stop a leak at one time or if it was just done as a rust preventative. If it were because one of the gouges were deep enough to leak it seems odd to paint over it to prevent a leak when you can buy a diff cover for pretty cheap.
At any rate I am going to eventually put a new cover on it, so hopefully then I will take the time to confirm what gears are in there. Based on how the trucks perform I really do think the 3.08's are what is in there....between a motor that hasn't been kept in top condition and the lack luster gears....she just doesn't have much pep.
Tomorrow the plan is to drain the transfer case and refill it and then drain the front axle and refill it too.
A question on catalytic converters.....does anyone have a picture of the stock cat. on an 87 V10? I can't imagine the monstrosity that is under my truck is stock....this thing is enormous! Besides it has a hose clamp on the front of it and I somehow doubt that Chevy sent it out the door like that. I think the cat. is going to be replaced with a new one and a Cherry Bomb Vortex will follow it.....single in single out...everyone runs duals. But this is going to have to wait for a while.