Ford L9000 License Plate Bulb Size

The Ford L9000 license plate light requires a unique 1157 bulb size for proper installation and function within the rear illumination housing. Available data covers a specific range from 1981 through 1997 for the specified vehicle and lighting component.

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	US Type	EU Type	Shop
1981-1997	1157	P21/5W	Check Price

Bulb Specifications

Description	Type	Shop
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Dual-filament bulb with BAY15d bayonet base. 12V, 21W/5W.	1157	Check Price
ECE standard (Europe & worldwide). Dual-filament signalling bulb with BAY15d bayonet base. 12V, 21W/5W.	P21/5W	Check Price

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Ford L9000 uses the 1157 bulb for its license plate lighting across all listed model years, spanning 1981-1997.
The 1157 is a dual-filament bulb, meaning it contains two separate filaments within a single glass envelope, rated at 21W and 5W respectively on a 12-volt system.
It is built to the ANSI standard, which governs its electrical and physical characteristics for use in the United States and Canada.
The 1157 uses a BAY15d bayonet base, a two-pin offset base design that prevents incorrect installation by ensuring only one rotational orientation allows the bulb to seat properly.
The BAY15d base is a widely recognized fitment in North American automotive applications, though the offset pin spacing is a critical detail that distinguishes it from visually similar bayonet bases such as the BA15d, which uses equally spaced pins.
Because the 1157 is an ANSI-standardized type, aftermarket and OEM replacements from different manufacturers are generally interchangeable as long as they share the same base type, voltage rating, and wattage values.