Hey, I was looking at the microfiche stock zilla parts lists on albaaction.com when I became a bit confused. For the 1989 bumper and stickers there are like the number and then number A. like they show two bumpers for the 89 number 4 and number 4A under the pegs and bumper section
1989 bumper
It also has more then one choice for the stickers 5 and 5A
Front fender stickers

Why is this?? did they change styling mid-year or were there multiple options. If anybody has any brochure info on the 1989 models etc i'd be interested. also how can you tell the year by the vin?

now as to the paint, I want to touch up some welded spots in my frame with blue and my a-arms with white. Is this where i should get my paint or does anybody reccomend a different place for paint. Im looking for blue and white as of now.

Im also repainting my midpipe. the silencer and expantion chamber are both ok but the midpipe was covered in surface rust. I steel-wire brushed it down to clean metal and was just going to buy some high temp silver engine paint from the hardwear store. what do you all think?

I was looking at a mechanical coolant gauge from jtatv.com. Below there's a link to the one i'm looking at. How do you all think this will work, is it a pain to drain the coolant system, should I not mess with the rubber hose I already have, Is it a good idea, will the insert in the line restrict flow? etc etc. what do you all think about it, seemed like a good idea to not overheat to me or should i just leave it alone because its running fine now?
JTATV.com mechanical coolant gauge

 

bump

 

As to IDing the year, on the vin there should be a letter mine is a 88 so it has a J, yours should have a K. if memory serves me correctly ( I would have to go and look) it is at the start of the vin. I don't know about you but I always thought the stikers for the zilla were kind of silly, So I don't really know any thing about them. Possibly 4 is left 4a is right? As for the bumper the thinner one is an older style I would say that they under went a model change also note that the schmatic is for an 89-90 or both years. that might be the story behind that. I would get a very high heat paint for it for as I am sure you know that pipe gets very, very hot. I have never seen the temp gauge but depending on the flow rate it should be fine. If your hose is very worn I would replace it.

 

I'm not sure how much that gauge costs, but most people I see use the inline one like ESR sells. http://www.esr250.com/default.asp?ProductID=112