Ford C8000 License Plate Bulb Size

The Ford C8000 license plate light uses 1157 and 97 bulb sizes according to the provided specifications for the vehicle. Available information covers the range from 1980 through 1990 for the specified components.

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
1989-1990	1157
1988	97
1980-1987	1157

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Dual-filament bulb with BAY15d bayonet base. 12V, 21W/5W.	1157
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. Variant of 1156. 12V, 13W.	97

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Ford C8000 license plate bulb specifications cover model years 1980-1990, with two distinct bulb types appearing across that span: the 1157 and the 97.
The 1157 is the dominant fitment for the Ford C8000, appearing in ten of the eleven model years listed: 1980-1987 and 1989-1990.
The 1157 is an ANSI-standard dual-filament bulb rated at 12V with a 21W main filament and a 5W secondary filament, mounted on a BAY15d bayonet base.
The BAY15d base on the 1157 features offset pins, a design that prevents incorrect insertion by ensuring the bulb can only be seated in one orientation.
The 1988 Ford C8000 uses the 97 bulb, which is a single-filament ANSI-standard type rated at 12V and 13W, mounted on a BA15s bayonet base.
The BA15s base on the 97 bulb has a single contact pin, distinguishing it physically from the dual-pin BAY15d base of the 1157.
The 97 bulb is classified as a variant of the 1156, sharing the same BA15s base but differing in wattage, which makes the two types non-interchangeable despite their physical similarity.
Because the 1157 carries a dual-filament design and the 97 is single-filament, the two bulb types are not interchangeable, even though both use bayonet-style bases.