so i just picked a 1987 4 runner turbo with digital dash !
dash works fine but as soon as you turn on the parking lights its gone! and no other instruments light work!

so any help out there is the dimmer switch dead maybe?

also has no radio but the harness plug is intact!

 

When I got my Blazer, the gauges would do crazy things when I turned on the lights. It turned out that the problem was the dash ground wire was not connected properly. You probably have a similar problem. Check a wiring diagram to see where it grounds and check that. The radio harness should not have anything to do with it.

 

funny thing i can find any of the FSM online that work! any more =(

 

There a little gauge dimmer knob on the left of the wheel or so?

Take it off and find which port on the plug is hot and wire it to a ground-dash lights work you need a new knob.