Puddle Lights - FAQ

[Crash513]

This is not a performance lighting question, but I figure one of you guys might know this. I need to replace a burned out bulb for the "puddle lamp" on my '98 Explorer. These are the lamps that are built into the outside rearview mirrors that point straight down so you can see the ground around the front doors.

I pulled the burned out bulb from the housing, and could not read the number on it, so I tried to match it by appearance at my local Kragen store. The replacement bulb I got (#904) is a perfect fit, but it's about 1/2 as bright as the original bulb. I pulled the good bulb from the other housing and I can't find any readable number on it either. These bulbs are not listed in the owners manual, or on the charts or computer that Kragen has. These are tubular "crimped base" bulbs that plug into the socket in the housing, they do not have any kind of base or bezel.

Anyone have any ideas on where I can find the right bulb number? I would appreciate any help you could offer.

Thanks,

 

[00XLT]

You might look into 194 bulbs, they're smaller but fit perfectly. Not sure as to brightness as I replaced mine with blue ones.

 

[Crash513]

Thanks, I will try them.

By the way, where did you get the boss wind deflector on your hatch? Is it plastic, or aluminum? Does it help keep the backlight clean? Does it make any extra noise? It looks pretty cool, just wondering how well it actually works.

Thanks again,

 

[00XLT]

Hey, it's an EGR Dust Guard (plastic) Not really impressed with its dust guarding abilities though. Then again, I had it put on the day after I bought my explorer, so I really don't know what the back end would look like without it.

 

[Crash513]

Cool. I looked for one of these when I first got my truck and there was nothing yet available for the new rear hatch style. I will check it out. Thanks, Sean

 

[Pemerling]

where can i get those blue lights. my puddle lights went out as well. what number should i use

 

[00XLT]

APC makes them, SOEI makes them as well as a couple of generic brands you can find at any Schucks or other auto parts store sold as "Mood Lights" The bulb size is 194.

 

[Crash513]

Just in case anyone needs to know, the original white bulb for the puddle lamps turns out to be a #912. This is not listed in the owners or service manual, so I finally broke down and called the parts department at my local Ford dealer and got the right number. Turns out this is the same bulb used in the dome light. Just thought I would pass this along.

 

[aldive]

Does anyone know the bulb number for the puddle lights on a 99?

Also, has anyone replaced them with HP white bulbs?

Thanks....

 

[00XLT]

168/194's work well, not as big but they still fit.

 

[Diablo3305]

I replaced my puddle lamps with blue lights. They look pretty nice, especially at night in a dark parking lot. They give the ground a nice blue look, plus I've never seen anyone else that had them, so its a nice custom look...

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by 00XLT
168/194's work well, not as big but they still fit.

I bet that does look nice. However, what I want is a lot of light output, hence the ultra whites///

 

[00XLT]

I had Blue 194's, just replaced them with superwhite 194's because the blue ones were fading. Comparing the superwhites with the regular clears, they look to have about the same light output. As far as I know neither LUKS, B1 Hybrid, APC, SOEI or PIAA make superwhites in that large of a bulb with a tiny wedge (I believe stock bulb size is 912).

 

[Quick]

Is there a way to install puddle lights on an Explorer that doesn't have that? I think they are actually pretty cool but not sure what it would take to install them.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[RytM1]

Mark, see if the side mirrors from a 98+ will fit yours. I'm not exactly sure where, but the puddle lamps are somehow tied into the interior lights.

 

[Cameron]

I know the newer Explorers have that option. They have the light under the side view mirror. I wanted to order a set for my Sport and the price…$300.00 for the pair!!!!

So I simply installed a set of heavy duty lights (back up lights for a trailer) under my truck, on the frame, near the doors. I wired them to the courtesy light circuit so every time I open the door, my “puddle lights” come on. The lights cost me under $10.00 for the pair and I already had the wire in the garage. I think they look very nice and do the job of those $300.00

But to answer your question, it may depend on the year of your truck. Are the side view mirrors unchanged in the past 10+ years?

 

[Quick]

Cameron, I was actually referring to what you had when you showed me that one night. I thought that was standard! They look awesome.. looks like I'll be doing that.

How did you mount them?

 

[Cameron]

It’s actually fairly straightforward. The hardest part is drilling into the frame. Also, you have to prepare the lights, they aren’t designed to be used where I mounted them so I needed to make sure I sealed them well.

If, you like, I’ll show you during our next NOIEC get together.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by aldive
Does anyone know the bulb number for the puddle lights on a 99?

Also, has anyone replaced them with HP white bulbs?

Thanks....

Thanks for all the help.

Now,,,,, how do you remove these lights?

Thanks....

 

[Diablo3305]

its realy easy, just get a hex key, and take out the screws, then its just a matter of unplugging the lights...