What is the low beam headlight bulb size for a 1987 Ford Thunderbird?

The 1987 Ford Thunderbird uses a 9004 bulb for the low beam headlights. We recommend upgrading to LED for better visibility.

What is the high beam headlight bulb size for a 1987 Ford Thunderbird?

The high beam bulb size for the 1987 Ford Thunderbird is 194.

Why are my 1987 Ford Thunderbird headlights dim?

Dim headlights on a 1987 Ford Thunderbird can be caused by aging halogen bulbs, which lose brightness over time, or oxidation (cloudiness) on the plastic headlight lenses. Upgrading to a 9004 LED conversion kit can provide a significantly brighter and whiter light output.

Which bulb fits the 1987 Ford Thunderbird fog light?

The 1987 Ford Thunderbird typically does not come with factory fog lights in all trim levels. If your vehicle is equipped with them, check the manual as sizes can vary by trim.

Is the 1987 Ford Thunderbird single or dual beam?

The 1987 Ford Thunderbird uses a dual bulb headlight system. This means you have separate bulbs for high and low beams.

Can I install LED bulbs on my 1987 Ford Thunderbird?

Yes, the 1987 Ford Thunderbird comes with standard halogen bulbs from the factory, but they can be upgraded to LED. You will need a 9004 LED conversion kit for the low beams.

Did the 1987 Ford Thunderbird change headlight bulb sizes from the previous year?

Yes — the 1987 Ford Thunderbird uses different bulb sizes than the 1986 model. The 1987 generation introduced this bulb configuration.

Is the 1987 Ford Thunderbird the first or last year to use 9004 bulbs?

The 1987 Ford Thunderbird is the only year in the 1987 generation to use the 9004 bulb for the low beam headlight.

How do I change the headlight on a 1987 Ford Thunderbird?

Turn off the vehicle and open the hood. Locate the headlight assembly from behind, remove the dust cover or retaining clip, disconnect the wiring harness, twist the old 9004 bulb counter-clockwise to remove it, then insert the new bulb and reassemble. The whole process typically takes 10 to 30 minutes per side depending on accessibility.

Are LED headlights legal for a 1987 Ford Thunderbird?

LED bulbs used off-road or in auxiliary lights are legal everywhere. For on-road headlight use, legality varies by state. Many states allow LED retrofits as long as the beam pattern meets DOT standards. For the best legal compliance, choose a DOT-approved 9004 LED kit that is designed as a direct replacement and produces a proper cutoff pattern without excessive glare.

How much does it cost to replace 1987 Ford Thunderbird headlights?

A pair of halogen 9004 bulbs costs $15 to $40, while LED conversion kits run $25 to $60 per pair. If you have a shop do the work, expect an additional $20 to $50 in labor per bulb. Replacing them yourself at home saves the labor cost and usually takes under 30 minutes.

What is the difference between halogen and LED for a 1987 Ford Thunderbird?

Halogen bulbs produce a warm yellow light (around 3200K), last 500 to 1000 hours, and draw more power. LED bulbs emit a brighter white light (5000-6000K), last 25,000+ hours, and use less energy. LED upgrades for the 9004 position are available as direct plug-and-play replacements.

The 1987 Ford Thunderbird has a unique bulb configuration not shared with adjacent model years.

Fitment Guaranteed for 1987 Ford Thunderbird

What Size Bulbs Does a 1987 Ford Thunderbird Use?

Correct headlight, fog light, and tail light bulb sizes. Sourced from OEM catalog data.

Installation Difficulty

Easy (Plug and Play)

Est. Replacement Cost

$15 - $40 (Halogen) / $30+ (LED)

What Lighting System Does the 1987 Ford Thunderbird Have?

Owners of the 1987 Ford Thunderbird will find a total of 11 lighting elements throughout the vehicle's exterior. It features an extensive lighting system powered by a dual-bulb halogen configuration using separate 9004 low beam and 194 high beam bulbs for precise light distribution. This model belongs to the mid years of the Thunderbird's 1958-2005 production span.

Can You Put LED Bulbs in a 1987 Ford Thunderbird?

For a Ford built for the road and trail, LED upgrades provide the high-contrast lighting needed for better obstacle detection. We recommend starting your upgrade with the 9004 low beams, as they see the most use. Adding a matching 194 LED kit later will complete the look and ensure consistent lighting performance.

1987 Ford Thunderbird Bulb Size Chart

Position	Bulb Size	Shop
Turn Signal Front	3157CK	Buy 3157CK →
Low Beam	9004	Buy 9004 →
Brake Light	3157CK	Buy 3157CK →
Parking Light	3157CK	Buy 3157CK →
License Plate	194	Buy 194 →
Reverse Light	1156	Buy 1156 →
Turn Signal Rear	3157CK	Buy 3157CK →
Tail Light	3157CK	Buy 3157CK →
Side Marker	904	Buy 904 →
Dome Light	906	Buy 906 →
High Beam	194	Buy 194 →

How do the 1987 Ford Thunderbird's bulbs compare to other years?

The 1987 Ford Thunderbird changed bulb sizes from 1986. The previous model year used a different configuration.

The 1988 model switched to a different bulb configuration.

This bulb configuration covers the 1987 model years. ← 1986 1988 →

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Other Thunderbird Years

2005 2004 2003 2002 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1986 1985 1984 1983 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958

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