The Dodge Power Ram 50 uses a 1157 bulb for front turn signals and a 1156 bulb for rear turn signals, with each size serving distinct lighting functions on the vehicle. The replacement chart covers 1983 through 1986 model years and documents the specific bulb specifications for those production years.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The Dodge Power Ram 50 uses the 1157 bulb for the front turn signal across the 1983-1986 model years.
The 1157 is a dual-filament bulb rated at 12V with a 21W/5W output, meaning it carries one filament for the higher-intensity turn signal function and a second filament for a lower-intensity running or parking light function.
The 1157 uses a BAY15d bayonet base, which features two offset pins at different heights to prevent incorrect installation of the bulb into the socket.
The rear turn signal on the Power Ram 50 uses the 1156 bulb across the same 1983-1986 model years.
The 1156 is a single-filament bulb rated at 12V and 21W, dedicated solely to one lighting function, which in this application is the rear turn signal.
The 1156 uses a BA15s bayonet base, which has two pins at equal heights, distinguishing it physically from the BAY15d base of the 1157.
Because the 1157 and 1156 share a similar physical profile but have different base pin configurations, the two bulbs are not interchangeable despite their visual resemblance.
Both the 1157 and 1156 are ANSI-standardized bulbs recognized in the United States and Canada, meaning they conform to a defined set of electrical and physical tolerances.
The front position requires a dual-filament 1157, while the rear position requires a single-filament 1156, indicating the two positions serve different circuit requirements on the Power Ram 50.