Based on tc's photos, it looks like another way to replace the clips would be to take a piece of metal 1" x 2" and just bend it in half at a 45-degree angle. Drill a hole down the middle through both sections on the bent metal, and that should take care of it.
Not having the luxury of having one to look at, I assume that the back side of the trim piece should be set snug against the dash, and the front side (toward the windshield) is raised up a bit to allow the air to escape and defrost the glass. What is the gap on the front? About 1"?
