Taillights have different bulb connector housings?

[MastuhWaffles]

So a while back my passenger side taillight wouldnt blink anymore so I replaced the bulb with the Sylvannia 3156 as the manual states.... Recently the driver side went out to, being I had spare bulbs I tried to fit the 3156 and the little plastic piece was too big. So going to the autoparts store I looked in the book and it said an 06-07 uses the 3156, however its too big to fit in the housing. I looked at the 08-11 bulbs and its a 4156 which is got the smaller plastic piece and it fits and works into my taillight bulb connector.
Ive had the truck for 10 years and got it at 38,000 miles, there is no signs of tampering or the connector being changed out, so what gives? Why do I have two different year models on my truck? Is it a factory mistake?

 

[Uncle Gump]

That's odd...

They both should use the same bulb... you ended up with a unicorn harness. Or someone did a connector repair and used the parts available at that moment.

 

[MastuhWaffles]

That's odd...

They both should use the same bulb... you ended up with a unicorn harness. Or someone did a connector repair and used the parts available at that moment.

Yeah like it doesnt look like it was ever repaired or modified.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Yeah like it doesnt look like it was ever repaired or modified.

That would be pretty hard to see if they backed the terminals out... changed the terminals (if they're different) and inserted them into the connector body. Unlike a repair with a new connector with a pigtail harness.

 

[don4331]

Yeah like it doesnt look like it was ever repaired or modified.

If you received one of the trucks that I've added power windows/mirrors/seats too, you would never be able to tell I unpinned the old connector and repinned the new one...

 

[MastuhWaffles]

That would be pretty hard to see if they backed the terminals out... changed the terminals (if they're different) and inserted them into the connector body. Unlike a repair with a new connector with a pigtail harness.

If it was a repair at least it was done professionally minus the wrong part

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

If you received one of the trucks that I've added power windows/mirrors/seats too, you would never be able to tell I unpinned the old connector and repinned the new one...

I just wish factory style replacement pins and connectors were more readily available, this is the way I’d rather do all of my modifications but sometimes it’s not really possible so I’ve made do with weatherpack connectors where I can’t make use of a factory connector.

 

[don4331]

I just wish factory style replacement pins and connectors were more readily available, this is the way I’d rather do all of my modifications but sometimes it’s not really possible so I’ve made do with weatherpack connectors where I can’t make use of a factory connector.

I had the advantage of working for a contract manufacturer in their design group. I ordered "engineering samples" of the connectors which I needed. Unfortunately, vendors only send limited qty for samples and Ford has moved on with their connectors, so my hoard must be guarded.