Dumb LED bulb question

So I was going to replace the dome light in my 97 with an LED bulb to help brighten up the inside some at night. As we know the stock lighting in general leaves something to be desired. Last week I did the dash gauge lights and it made a huge difference.

The local AutoZone didn't have the LED DE3022 bulb on the shelf so they ordered it for me and I picked it up the next day. I went to go put it in and strangely enough it didn't fit. It is larger in diameter overall, but the real problem is that it is too long for the bulb holder.

Trying to do some research on the subject and am finding that there almost seem to be different length DE3022 bulbs available when it comes to LEDs. Do I have to go online and order one of these custom length bulbs? Or will the one I have fit somehow?

I have played with it a couple times, and it looks like I'd basically have to flatten the small retainer tab that holds the bulb in order to make it fit.

 

I put the leds in my map lights in my reg cabs and they too were too long. All i did was just slightly bent one of the tabs a hair. They bend real easy just apply a lil pressure on one or both tabs, your choice and they'll pop right in!

 

I'll try to take a pic of mine, but it only has one tab to bend. The drivers side of the bulb goes into a hard mount that can't move.

Not sure if this is one of those dumb minor design changes from one year to another.

 

Ahh...well i have reg cabs so i only.have one interior light up by the windshield. Cant remember if its called a map light or dome light...you must have the style i dont have..the one i have uses the "festoon" style bulb/light. Wouldnt be a design change though, just the difference between the map and dome light.

 

Yeah mine is a single cab with the one light up at the rear view mirror.


So I measured the old bulb against the new bulb. Old bulb is 1.125" (29mm) and the new bulb is 1.25". (32mm) A small difference, but big enough to not fit.

I did find some links to alternative 3022 style LED bulbs that are different lengths. So I may just have to go that route.

It's just strange to me that Sylvania makes what they call a direct replacement in LED version that is obviously bigger than the the old style bulb they sell a couple rows down on the shelf.

 

I tried one on my extra cab it didn't fit either. And I blew a fuse tying to force it in.

 

I actually tested the bulb working by just holding the bulb in place while both ends touched their respective mounts and it did light up ok. Nice and bright compared to the old one. Didn't notice any issues with fuses immediately when testing.

 

Your reg cab must be the ultra base model just the basic of the basic. My light there has two lights and 3 switches. One switch for eaxh light and a middle switch for turning both lights on kr off with the door being open.

Though its different from mine it still looks kinda like that tab on the right could be bent just a bit? I dont bkame ya if ya dont wanna though! Also the leds i got as replacements were 32mm as well over the stock 29's.

 

What would define "ultra base model"?

Mine is a 4x4 w/ 2.7l engine and 5sp. I'd be surprised if there were too many selectable options for these things when new.

 

I just meant bare bones with the use of the word ultra, thats all.

 

That's why they make spring-loaded festoon LEDs: