dash lights, hazard lights, and running lights failed
 

I have a 1988 f150 and the dash lights, hazard lights, and running lights all failed at the same time. the head lights break lights still work. all of the fuses are good is there a relay or something somewhere that could have gone bad?

Try a new relay, Though I have the exact same problem as you as fas as dash lights go.

It was the switch, the dashlight dimmer was shorting out and making the fuse blow

Where did you buy a new switch?? What fuse was it???