I have some 1" schedule 40 that measures 1.312 but it looks too small. Exhaust tube seems kinda thin, no? Didn't make it to the local rock buggy shop to grab a piece of 1.5" DOM tube. Guess I should have.....
I measured an old column drop and it is 1 1/2". I've known a number of guys that have used the exhaust tubing. Not saying it's right or wrong but it's not been a problem for a number of years.
I recall using a chrome 'Blooey Tube' (scavenger pipe, 'cheater' pipe) with a belled end from Grand Auto. They had 1.5", 1.75", 2", 2.25". They were $6 each, iirc. Hah! Try finding exhaust tubing 1.5" chrome in 4 ft. lengths now...custom exhaust tubing has grown in diameter like most Americans!
Matt they're 1.5 like the other fellas said and yes they are thin. I believe they are thinner than exhaust tubing. I'd take a pair of calipers to one of mine but I'm at the in laws until tomorrow night.
Just put a new tube on a 41 1.5t Just re-tubed a 41 Ford 1.5 ton and it had a 1.75 tube since the steering shaft is 7/8 instead of 3/4 like a car. The hardest part was dis***embling the locking mechanism. It now has set screws rather than twist off bolts and press in pins. Exhaust tubing is plenty strong enough. There is a good how to video showing a 40 Ford locking mechanism being rebuilt if you do a search on google. I think the column locks were pretty much the same for years with just the switch position being moved around through the years.
Steering tubing was indeed thinner than 'muffler moly'. A tubing supplier would be preferable for the thin wall stuff, especially if you're bent on using the upper bearing outer race. Otherwise, a generic bearing with the 3/4" I.D. for steering mast will work... I do like the Ford style upper bearing, (balls, with tapered sliding inner race that is preloaded with the upper spring, and compressed by the steering wheel hub; pre '70 VW bugs also use this setup) Never a sloppy side-to-slide 'rattle' between mast and jacket, always nice and tight. When you're driving, your hands are on the wheel for the whole ride.
Rat, 1.5" OD like others have said. Belled out at the top to match the curve of the steering wheel. I crudely measured the thickness at the split end under the clamp @.044"
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