Ford F-250 License Plate Bulb Size

Additional Notes

• The Ford F-250 license plate bulb specifications span model years 1969 through 1999, with three distinct bulb types appearing across that range: the 168, 194, and 97.
• The 194 is the most frequently specified bulb across the Ford F-250 license plate positions, appearing in the majority of model years listed, including 1975-1980, 1983-1984, 1987-1990, 1993-1994, and 1997-1998.
• Both the 168 and 194 are ANSI-standard miniature wedge bulbs sharing the T10 form factor and a 12-volt operating voltage, which places them in the same physical bulb family.
• Despite sharing the same T10 wedge base, the 168 and 194 are not rated at identical wattages. The 168 operates at 4.9 watts, while the 194 operates at 3.78 watts, making them electrically distinct.
• The 97 bulb uses a BA15s single-contact bayonet base, which is a fundamentally different mounting type from the wedge base used by the 168 and 194, meaning these bulb families are not interchangeable.
• At 13 watts, the 97 draws considerably more power than either the 168 or the 194, reflecting its classification as a variant of the 1156 bulb family rather than a miniature wedge type.
• The Ford F-250 (1969-1972) is specified with the 97 bulb exclusively for those model years, consistent with the bayonet-base fitment found in other years where the 97 appears.
• The 97 bulb is specified for the 1981-1982, 1985-1986, 1992, and 1995-1996 model years, indicating that the F-250 alternated between bayonet-base and wedge-base license plate lamp assemblies at several points across its production run.
• All three bulb types conform to ANSI standards recognized in both the United States and Canada, indicating cross-border parts availability under the same bulb designations.
• The 1999 model year stands as the sole instance where the 168 is specified, distinguishing it from the surrounding years that use the 194 despite both bulbs sharing the same T10 wedge base form factor.