yellodogg Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 hey guys, new to the forum, glad to see there's a bunch of guys here. i just got an 81 dolphin-500 series. 36000 miles (apparently) 22r motor with a 20r head? and the 5 lug axle, which is definitely something i have to replace. a few questions which i'd appreciate some help! 1. which year/model toyota full floater axle is the easiest to replace the original? i read the 84-86, but also 87-88... is the 81 dolphin an actual 81 toyota chassis too? i've read of other models on some of these posts with different years of chassis and bodies i got a guy who said he'd do it, he sold it to me. also i am in the hunt for that axle, i am located in central new jersey, so give a hollar if you have any or know a local one in the tri-state area. 2. i am going to be using this as a touring vehicle for my band. we are a three piece, and may bring a fourth man too, (i'll probably gut some of the big stuff out of the rv, we need to maximize space and weight) would it be too much to attempt to tow a mini trailer for drum cases, a few amps even? (No marshall stacks or anything, probably around o250 pounds of gear including everything) i've read all over any towing on the 4 cylinder is not a good idea, but nothing about really small trailers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shandamac Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 hello yello, Welcome to the forum! You've probably read everything I have about towing behind the toys and the dangerous 5 lug rearends. I too am a traveling musician. It can be stressful enough getting to a gig on time let alone mixing that up with an untrustworthy ride. You've come to the right place to get answers. There are people on this forum who've actually lost rear axles while on the road. Scary stuff. Take the time to read back through all the past posts. You'll be glad you did. Wishing you safe travels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turtle Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 You would be better off to sell the RV and get a box truck or other commercial vehicle. U-Haul purchased a lot of Toyota 1 ton V-6 trucks and put box backs on them. There are still a lot of them around at reasonable prices. The money you are going to have to spend to get your old RV road worthy (to carry a load reliably) will me more than what you can purchase a box truck for. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...em=170247906435 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...em=250280932148 Some that have sold on ebay for very little $$ http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...em=180273107634 (Toyota 1 ton in NJ) http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...em=170245920430 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...em=270258100364 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellodogg Posted August 12, 2008 Author Share Posted August 12, 2008 thanks guys, hey mike appreciate the links but i just got in the club! i love the rv too much already i can't let her go. haha, i don't mind putting in the money for the axle, its split between three people so i'm not worried about the project. i found the rv for a song, considering all the new parts that are on it. ever strip a dolphin down and just use it to haul cargo? i wondered what the combined weight of all the furniture and appliances are anyhow. i thought about box trucks, but then you might as well be hauling around in a standard van, and we are just a poor band, so i wanted to keep gas costs down. i figure in the mean time i'll dig around the tri-state area for parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turtle Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 I can tell you from experience performing and doing gigs that there is NEVER ENOUGH ROOM for your stuff. I started out with a 1965 VW bus (stripped), moved to a dodge stretch 1 ton (also stripped), then to a cube/box truck and still not enough room. It never failed. Every time I got something bigger there was more stuff to carry. PA, lighting, road racks of stuff, it was never ending. I've sold everything now except my 15" ampeg flip top studio and my axes, all of which will fit neatly in the passenger seat of a sub compact. If you've not seen a flip top it is one of these jewels http://www.andrewsamplab.com/Amp%20Photo%2...5n_flip_top.htm Mine is a 1968 model and has a D150 JBL in side of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellodogg Posted August 17, 2008 Author Share Posted August 17, 2008 If you've not seen a flip top it is one of these jewels http://www.andrewsamplab.com/Amp%20Photo%2...5n_flip_top.htm Mine is a 1968 model and has a D150 JBL in side of it. good to see more fellow musicians thinking the same things. - aha. i've seen and played these a lot, i love ampeg amps, though i've always been a fender man, (teles, twins, champs, bassmen, etc.). i know the issue of space. we've got electric pianos (wurlitzers and rhodes) and stuff too to carry so its going to be crowded. but crowded in a dolphin sounds much better than a sweaty smelling conversion band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turtle Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 I wish I had kept my Fender showman amp. They were large but they sounded SWEET.... The flip top is nice but if you want to be loud you have to mic it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellodogg Posted August 17, 2008 Author Share Posted August 17, 2008 i love the guild! also, the marcus miller style jazz bass. i used to have a guild x-100 i think which has that same body style, with strat style pickups, they are so cool. i do a lot of recording these days at my home studio so i haven't needed a big loud amp yet, though i play through a buddys ampeg svt with my hofner bass when we practice . do you have stuff you've recorded online? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turtle Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 i love the guild! also, the marcus miller style jazz bass. The one on the right is a 1957 P base body with a 1968 Jazz neck. The bridge and pickup were added about 20 years ago. That one is not my first bass but close to it (had it since the late 60's). It is also my favorite as it is light as a feather compared to the Jazz and fretless (yes, the Guild is a fretless bass) which both weigh a ton and a half. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shandamac Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 A TENOR BANJO!?!?!?! DM, You just get cooler and cooler by the minute!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turtle Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 A TENOR BANJO!?!?!?!DM, You just get cooler and cooler by the minute!!!!!! Yes, a Paramount Aristocrat Special tenor banjo. This fellow has some nicer pics of what it looks like all around. It sounds as good as it looks too... http://www.denverfolklore.com/instrument_p...anjo_photos.htm Nice web site page about the old Paramount tenors (the aristocrat special is down a couple on the page) http://www.banjomuseum.org/paramount.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellodogg Posted August 19, 2008 Author Share Posted August 19, 2008 A few more just for fun oooo yes, the gretsch synchromatics are the prettiest guitars as is yours, i've loved them for years, i only played a trashed lower end model a few years back though. wish i had some fun gear to post but all i play are lower end amps/ and japanese lawsuit electrics and acoustics. i do have a shitload of vintage keyboards... again, not as sexy. haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turtle Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 oooo yes, the gretsch synchromatics are the prettiest guitars as is yours, i've loved them for years, i only played a trashed lower end model a few years back though. wish i had some fun gear to post but all i play are lower end amps/ and japanese lawsuit electrics and acoustics. i do have a shitload of vintage keyboards... again, not as sexy. haha Oh I don't know about that... Those old spinning horn Hammonds are very sexy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shandamac Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 Well, heavens me! I live minutes away from the National 4 String Banjo Hall of Fame and had never even heard of it till now. (I spend way too much time in Shandaland.) Sadie is going to Guthrie on her first road trip to the first weekend in October. We'll drop by the museum while we're there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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