I heard back from the PO related to my electrical problems.
(see my other thread
http://www.pajeeps.org/forum/index.php?topic=1515.0)
He said he had the harness replaced with a used factory harness out of a 1990. Mine is an 89 so i assume there shouldnt be anny issues since the 4.0 wasnt introduced until 91. right?
he also said he is "fuzzy" on wheather they re hooked up the column since he had that out again after. so that could be one of my problems right there.
cant wait to get back to the garage to work on it some more. probably wont be for another couple weeks though.