finally found a day that was close to freezing
i replaced the dimmer switch in the 89. pretty simple, its attached to the stalk by a rod and bolts to the lower column. the dim lights still did not work.
the mechanic told her the switch was gone, i was $%#@*&^
i started to trace the problem and got it down to somewhere around the firewall. i disconnected the main junction to the firewall and all the lower connections where green (rot). i cleaned them up and she had both bights and dims.
my question is why would anyone design any part with the main power wires at the bottom of a junction, you know water is eventually get in. put them at the top!

 

Maybe that's the problem with the headlights on my truck