Different sized 168 bulbs??

[dennis67]

Different sized 168 bulbs?? (now with pic)

For a while I've been trying to find easy, plug and play replacements for the puddle lamps in my 2003X.. every source I've found says it's a 168 bulb..

However, every bulb I've found to replace it is smaller in physical size than the original which is longer and fatter. I love the way the original throws light - but have been testing some "high power" LED's and other incandescent choices, all are physically smaller, none throwing the same kind of light..

Are there different sized 168 bulbs or something? Can anyone see or point out what I might be missing here?

Edit- here's a picture of the original bulbs (literally original car is from showroom floor I'm the only owner) that came out next to real 168 bulbs (the 168 is the smaller one)

I thought 194/168/5w5 were the same base size.. apparently there's more - does anyone have an accurate list of all the possible bulbs that can plug in here? These larger bulbs definitely provide more light, brighter light, etc..

Thanks!

 

[Anime]

No, the smaller bulbs you purchased are definitely 168 bulbs, which are basically just brighter 194's. The replacement bulb number must have been an error, as the larger bulbs are most likely 906's or 912's, which have the same base as a 168/194/W5W, but a larger bulb. Sometimes, the old bulbs have a barely readable number on the large part of the bulb printed on them, which would let you know what number they are for an exact replacement.

 

[Bill Kemp]

At hardware (Home Dpt, Lowes) stores you can find the larger bulbs that are also used for low voltage deck & yard lights.
Just be carefull as I remember someone said they put the larger & higher watt bulbs in the mirror lights and the lense melted. The larger bulbs come in different wattages.

 

[dennis67]

This has been driving me nuts...

When I pulled the original bulbs I already had replacement 168's in hand since that's what other 2003 owners, sylvania website, even the owner's manual says the bulbs should? be.

But clearly these originals are different. Unfortunately, I have looked at them in the best light I can manage, literally with a magnifying glass and couldn't find a spec of print to help me identify them.

Thanks for the responses - the help is really appreciated.

 

[Anime]

I would think it's a misprint by Ford which carried over to the aftermarket since the lighting sites do list the replacement as a 168, but it is possible the bulb has the properties of a 168 and just the shape is different. In any case, a 906 should work fine, or perhaps even better.

 

[dennis67]

906 gets it. Picked up a pair, compared them, put them in and tried them out for a reasonable while. Just like they used to be.

Your experience and bulb recognition mastery made it so I could quickly and easily get back to normal so I didn't have to "settle" for 168's or guess and melt my car Thanks for naming the number Anime4x4 - I really appreciate it. Definitely more light than those 168's.. during this post my research led me to litebulbs.com which says the 168 is 4.90Watt and 3 candlepower.. and the 906 is 8.97Watt and 6 candlepower.. Yeah.. I'll definitely keep my 906 bulbs now that I know what they are.

Thank you again.