Ford L8000 Back Up Light Bulb Size

The Ford L8000 back up light requires a 1156 bulb size for the rear lighting assembly. Available information covers the period from 1981 through 1988 for the specified vehicle.

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
1981-1988	1156

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. 12V, 21W.	1156

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Ford L8000 uses the 1156 bulb for its back up light across the 1981-1988 model years.
The 1156 is an ANSI-standardized bulb type, meaning its specifications are governed by a recognized North American standard applicable in both the United States and Canada.
The 1156 is a single-filament bulb, which is typical for dedicated back up lights, as the function requires only one consistent output state rather than dual-intensity switching.
The bulb operates at 12 volts and draws 21 watts, consistent with standard automotive electrical systems of that era.
The 1156 uses a BA15s bayonet base, where "BA15s" denotes a bayonet fitting with a 15mm collar and a single contact pin, distinguishing it from double-contact variants.
The BA15s single-contact base is not interchangeable with the BA15d double-contact base used on dual-filament bulbs such as the 1157, despite the two types sharing the same 15mm bayonet collar size.