Wires going to nowhere? From where? Post a picture
It does not crank right?
Those wires with your hand on them might go to a key in ignition warning buzzer that has been discarded / deleted or a clutch interlock switch
What color are those wires? and a EVTM will tell
If you have a automatic there will be wires where the clutch switch would be
Same for accessories your truck does not have, fog light wires, switch wires and stuff like that

 

With me under your truck with a pair of jumper cables
The truck would either crank over or we'd be welding
Means, you can bench test your starter on the truck with a pair of jumper cables
Possibly the starter is dragging and taking too many amps
That will just click
Possible there is voltage drop across a bad wire (either wire to the starter)
You need 12 volts to hit that starter, 10.5 volts will not do it
That will just click
So, take jumper cables to the starter
Use the positive one and a jumper wire to power both terminals on the back of your starter at the same time
It will crank or start welding (spark)

 

I removed the starter yesterday and tested it, she’s good. Now I’m stumped. Yeah, it’s an automatic, and what you said about the the wires make sense, and makes me feel better.. although I was super careful when removing the paneling, so fairily certain I didn’t disconnect anything.

 

What year is it?
On the automatic trans vehicles
The starter wiring will go through a neutral safety switch on an old one at the base of the column (60s and 70s)
Later ones were on the trans (80s)
later still and they had a whole bunch of wires and call them a MLP (manual lever position sensor) (mid 90s)
Later they called the MLP a TR sensor (transmission range sensor) (till now)
You have tried shifting the gears around a bit and tried to start it?
Sometimes the PRNDL indicator gets messed up or broken
Move the shifter around and try it
If an E series chassis or a Motorhome, there will (should) be no clutch interlock switch wires to worry about but look anyway

 

She’s a 97 2WD. Yeah, I tried shifting, still no joy. Thanks for all your help mate, I’m calling it a day, and getting it towed to a pro though. I gave it my best shot and learned some things in the process. Cheers!