The dimmer is a little different than ours, it is a separate dial, but right next to the split rocker headlamp switch.

Lamps on the radio and climate control should come on. If not a fuse, I would suspect the wiring to/from the rheostat or the rheostat itself.

found a diagram of the illumination circuit in my book today, hope to check it later tonight

i pulled out the instrument panel, all the bulbs are good
turns out instrument panel illumination is on Fuse 11, so while testing that circuit i took the radio ground off the illumination circuit (i swear i didnt hook it up like that)
that was my problem...
i feel stupid

Dont worrie I wont laugh I miss dumb things to. Lets look at the + you found the problem YAY