Played around with it again today.
Couple things.
Used Shelbydogg's trick of using a brake light bulb to identify it without using fuses. Works great!
I could isolate the short by dissconnecting all the interior light sources. ie. gauge lights, shift selector light, etc. So I assumed that would lead to the dimmer switch. Removed the dimmer its as clean as a whistle no evidence of arching or any problems.
I noticed that I could turn the jumper light off by playing with the headlight switch. If I move the switch between the marker lights and headlights right in that transition area the jumper will go off and the interior lights will come on.
So what do you think dimmer or headlight switch?? Both?
Thanks,
Brian