1983-2011 Ford Ranger Bulb Guide:
Need to change a bulb in your Ford Ranger, but don’t know what bulb it takes? Here are the bulbs used by the 1983-2011 Ford Ranger. This is for reference only. You may want to check your Owners Manual to confirm which bulb you need.
Headlights
1983-1988 Ford Ranger: H6054 (35W / 65W)
1989-1992 Ford Ranger: 9004 (45W / 65W)
1993-2011 Ford Ranger: 9007 (55W / 65W)
2019-2023 Ford Ranger Low Beam: H11 (55W)
2019-2023 Ford Ranger High Beam: 9005 (65W)
Fog Lights
1993-1997 Ford Ranger: H3 (55W) or 893 (37.5W)
1998-2000 Ford Ranger: 9006 (55W)
2000-2004 Ford Ranger: 9145 (45W)
2005-2007 Ford Ranger FX4, Sport, XL & XLT: 9145 (45W)
2005-2007 Ford Ranger STX: H11 (55W) / H11LL (55W)
2008-2011 Ford Ranger: 9145 (45W)
Turn Signals (Front)
1983-2011 Ford Ranger: 3157
Rear Turn Signal Brake Lights
1983-1990 Ford Ranger: 1157
1991-2011 Ford Ranger 3157
Tail Lamps
1983-1990 Ford Ranger: 1157
1991-2004 Ford Ranger: 3157
2005-2008 Ford Ranger: 4157
3157 vs 4157:
3157 bulbs are an older design of bulb and do not last as long as 4157 bulbs. 4157 bulbs utilize better materials, which are more resistant to heat and Krypton gas in the bulb which increases bulb longevity. In fact, 4157 bulbs are rated to last over four times as long as 3157 bulbs.
Reverse (Back UP) Lights:
1983-1988 Ford Ranger: 1156
1989-2007 Ford Ranger: 3156
2008-2010 Ford Ranger: 3155
Front Side Marker Lights
1983-1993 Ford Ranger: 194
1994-2000 Ford Ranger: 3157
2001-2005 Ford Ranger: 194
2006-2011 Ford Ranger: 194NA (Natural Amber)
3RD Brake Light
1993-2005 Ford Ranger: 912
2006-2011 Ford Ranger: 922
License plate light / Tag light:
1983-2011 Ford Ranger: 194
2019-2023 Ford Ranger: 2825
Map Light
1983-1990 Ford Ranger: 1816
1993-1997 Ford Ranger: 906 / 2122
1998-2011 Ford Ranger: 904
Interior Dome light
1983-2011 Ford Ranger: 912
Instrument Panel Lights
Bulb 194: 1983-2003 Ford Ranger (Lights up gauges & cluster)
Bulb 161: 1993-2003 Ford Ranger
Bulb 1815: 1988-2003 Ford Ranger
Bulb 89: 1988-1989 Ford Ranger
Bulb 37: 1988-1989 Ford Ranger
More Instrument Panel Bulb Info
Bulb 194 – T10 wedge-style miniature bulbs are commonly used as the main gauge / backlighting bulbs that illuminate the speedometer/tachometer/face of gauges.
Bulb 161 – T10 wedge-style miniature bulbs are commonly used as backlamp / interior illumination bulbs and sometimes in the cluster for less-prominent backlighting positions.
Bulb 1815 – BA9S / T-3.25 style miniature bayonet/miniature bulb (not a wedge) is sometimes used for indicator lights.
Bulb 89 – Is used in auxiliary indicator positions or interior courtesy lights
Bulb 37 – T5 miniature (PC37 is one of the T5 family designations). Very small wedge-type bulb/sockets used for indicator icons. shifter lights, small dashboard icons and some HVAC/radio indicator lights. Very common in later clusters and for small instrument icons.
Bulb 74 – T5-family miniature (PC74 / 2721 is a common cross). Often called “T5 / PC74 / 2721” in supplier listings. Common use on Rangers: Check-engine, ABS, oil, seatbelt, airbag, high-beam and other small indicator icons — the tiny lamps behind the indicator symbols. On many Rangers (especially later than ~2003) these small T5 bulbs are the majority of the cluster bulbs.
Year / Trim Practical Summary (How These Cluster Together)
1993 → ~2003 (older clusters):
- Gauge/backlight: usually 194 (T10 wedge).
- Tiny indicators (check engine, oil, etc.): usually 74 / PC74 / T5 or sometimes PC37. Some late-90s trucks also report 161 used for some backlamp positions.
~2004 → 2011 (later clusters):
- Increased use of T5 family bulbs (PC74/PC37/2721/37) for many indicator and sometimes backlighting duties; 194 may disappear from some sockets but still present on others depending on cluster revision. Expect mixed sockets on many 2004+ clusters.
Bottom line: 194 and 161 = wedge/T10 backlamp types; 37 & 74 = small T5 indicator family; 1815 & 89 = miniature bayonet/multipurpose bulbs that sometimes appear in clusters or interior lamps.
LED Bulbs:
You can get LED bulbs to replace your halogen bulbs. They will share the same number.
I upgraded the dome light, map lights, and dash lights in my 1996 Ford Ranger with Sylvania LED bulbs. I avoided the cheap Amazon LED bulbs. Some of those cheap LED’s don’t have a record of lasting very long before they start to go bad and flicker. The last thing I want to do is have to take my instrument cluster back out to replace them. Here is a comparison between a 192 dome light bulb and a 192 LED bulb.
Related Articles
How To Replace Instrument Cluster Lights
1995-2011 Gauge Cluster Removal & Bulb Replacement
About The Author
Jim Oaks is the founder of TheRangerStation.com, the longest-running Ford Ranger resource online since 1999. With over 25 years of hands-on experience building and modifying Ford Rangers — including magazine-featured builds like Project Transformer — Jim has become one of the most trusted authorities in the Ford Ranger off-road and enthusiast space. In 2019, he was loaned a Ranger FX4 by Ford Motor Company to test and document across the TransAmerica Trail. Jim continues to inspire and guide Ranger owners around the world.