I've looked pretty hard and can't seem to find any pics of what under the steering column looks like, are all those wires supposed to just dangle like that or is there something that was taken off, and what does the inside of the glove box look like? Is there suppose to be a top piece because all i'm seeing is more wires and no "glove box light"

 

Got pics? I think you are missing something in the glove box and may be missing the lower cover(s) on the steering column.

 

 

I'd have to check to be certain, but I don't believe the glove box has a top, in which case you wouldn't be missing anything there.

As for the wires under the column. To me they just look like they were pulled downs really far and hence hang so long. The bendable clips on the underside of the column are used to keep them more out of the way. There is also an HVAC pipe that runs under that area, forcing the wires to run between the column and it, which also helps keep things tidy. It would appear you are missing that pipe, although perhaps the 79 was different in that regard, not sure.

To check if the pipe is indeed missing, look up under the dash for two disconnected HVAC pipe on opposite sides of the column. They will be pretty far up. One will be near the top of the heater core, and the other will be by the left most dash vent.

Otherwise, your wires just look really loose and not secured well. I drove without the 'under column HVAC pipe' for a while and had no issues with the wires being in the way. There was no panel that covered that area in these car's if that's what you were wondering. Just wire clips and that HVAC pipe.

I'll try and grab a couple pictures of what mine looks like a little later in the day if that would be helpful.


Edit: just noticed you're missing the glovebox switch. The switch normally screws through that little u-shaped section in the top middle of the glovebox. It connects (at least on 80 and later cars) via a ring terminal and a bullet terminal iirc. The glovebox light should be up under the dash, not actually attached to the glovebox. It's basically just a bulb mounted on the underside of the dashboard if memory serves me right.