Ford Bronco License Plate Bulb Size

The Ford Bronco license plate component utilizes 194 and 97 bulb sizes according to the provided specifications for the vehicle. Available information spans a range from 1966 through 1996 for the listed equipment.

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
1975-1996	194
1966-1974	97

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 3.78W.	194
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. Variant of 1156. 12V, 13W.	97

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Ford Bronco license plate position uses two distinct bulb types across its production span: the 194 and the 97, each with different base designs and wattage ratings.
The 194 is a T10 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12V and 3.78W, conforming to ANSI standards recognized in both the US and Canada.
The 97 carries a BA15s single-contact bayonet base and is rated at 12V and 13W, making it significantly higher in wattage than the 194.
The 97 bulb is a variant of the 1156 family, though the two are not identical and should not be treated as direct substitutes without confirming base and wattage compatibility.
Ford Bronco model years 1975-1996 use the 194 bulb for the license plate position.
The Ford Bronco (1966-1974) uses the 97 bulb for the license plate position, which differs in both base type and wattage from the 194 used in later years.
Because the 194 uses a wedge base and the 97 uses a bayonet base, the two bulbs are physically incompatible with each other's sockets and are not interchangeable.
Both the 194 and the 97 are ANSI-standardized bulbs, meaning replacements sourced from different manufacturers should conform to the same electrical and physical specifications within each type.