Dodge Ram 1500 Van Dome Light Bulb Size

The Dodge Ram 1500 Van dome light requires bulb sizes 579, 211-2, or 578 depending on the specific version of the interior lighting component. Data for the lighting specifications covers the period from 1999 through 2003.

The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.

Bulb Size by Year Range

Years	Bulb Size
2002-2003	579
2001	211-2
1999-2000	578

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 44mm length, end-cap contacts. 12V, 12W.	579
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 41mm length, SV8.5 base. 12V, 12W.	211-2
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 41mm length, end-cap contacts. 12V, 12W.	578

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Dodge Ram 1500 Van uses festoon-type bulbs across all listed model years for the dome light position. Festoon bulbs are cylindrical lamps that mount horizontally between two spring-loaded contacts or a fixed base at each end.
Three distinct bulb sizes appear across the 1999-2003 model years: the 578, 579, and 211-2. All three are ANSI-standardized bulbs sold in both the United States and Canada.
All three bulb types share identical electrical ratings of 12 volts and 12 watts, meaning they draw the same power and operate at the same voltage.
The 578 and 211-2 bulbs share the same 41mm length, while the 579 is slightly longer at 44mm. Physical length is a critical fitment factor for festoon bulbs, as the housing must accommodate the full span of the lamp.
The 578 and 579 bulbs use end-cap contacts, where the electrical connection is made at the flat metal tips on each end of the bulb. The 211-2 uses an SV8.5 base, which is a specific festoon base designation indicating a slightly different contact design.
The difference in base type between the 578 and 211-2 means these two bulbs are not directly interchangeable despite sharing the same length, as the contact interface differs.
The 579 is the specified bulb for the 2002-2003 model years. Its 44mm length distinguishes it from the other two types listed, and substituting a 41mm bulb in a 44mm housing would result in poor or failed contact.
The 578 is specified for the 1999-2000 model years. Though it shares the 41mm length with the 211-2, the end-cap contact design of the 578 differs from the SV8.5 base of the 211-2, making them non-interchangeable.
The 211-2 is specified exclusively for the 2001 model year, representing a single-year fitment within this range. Its SV8.5 base is a standardized designation used across multiple vehicle manufacturers, though fitment remains specific to the socket design in the 2001 Ram 1500 Van.