What is the # for '98 tailight bulbs? | Ford Explorer Forums

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What is the # for '98 tailight bulbs?

Laddy

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Joined
February 7, 2004
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City, State
Texas
Year, Model & Trim Level
'98 Explorer Sport
I want to get some blub taillight bulbs (the ones that come on when your in reverse) what number do I need and are they easy to install?
 



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I take my tails on and off all the time (have done the tinting thing twice). Dead easy to get bulbs in and out. Your brake/taillight is a 3157 and reverse/signals are 3156 (3 bulbs in total in each tail). The bulbs are almost virtually identical, except 3156 are single filament and 3157 are dual. I've used 3157 in place of 3156 without a problem. The dual filament relates to dual wattages (e.g brakelight takes up the higher wattage and the tail takes the lower). That's why you only need 3156 in reverse/signal applications (one wattage, one brightness level).
 






ok thanks, I'm going to order some
 






Just so you know, I just went through this exercise recently. Unless you're trying to put in a different colour for your reverse lights, good ol' off the shelf bulbs from any store work best and are brighter than any aftermarket bulb. I "overtinted" my tails a bit and tried to compensate by using "brighter" bulbs. Those "ultrawhite" bulbs were almost invisible. I got the best results wtih el cheapo bulbs. If you're going to be using those tailight covers as you seem to have planned, you'll want the brightest possible because your tails aren't going to be very bright with those covers on.
 






Yeah, I decided against getting the lights, because you only see them when your backing out so it's kind of a waste of money...
 






I just ordered some and some altezzas, but I accidently got 3157s, hopefully they will still work..
 






are you sure the 3157s will still work? I heard if you use the wrong # it could catch on fire....
 






I don't think you will have a problem. I've had 3157's as a reverse light since the summer, the reverse isn't on long enuff to cause much of anything to overheat or catch fire. Unless of course you are in the habit of driving in reverse for long distances :)
 






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