'83 Ranger stuck in reverse

[montespaceship]

Hi there.
I currently have a 1983 Ford Ranger that is a 2.3L with 2wd and manual transmission (5spd) that is stuck in my driveway. I drove it home from work one day, put it in reverse to back into the driveway and the shifter slipped out of the trans and is now floating around the gearbox. When I pulled up the shift boot to take a look inside it looked normal apart from the shifter not being connected but even with the clutch held in I could not get anything to move and I am not able to get the shifter reconnected (probably because of the angle on it being in reverse). I am curious what the main issue could be that made it pop out and if the transmission is potentially jammed in reverse or if it could be shifter linkage or shifter bushings? Not super knowledgeable about transmissions and having a hard time tracking down a copy of a Haynes manual or even a post about the same issue on any forums. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks

 

[Curious Hound]

Can you post a picture so we can be more sure about exactly how much of the assembly popped off? Seems like you should be able to move it out of gear with the clutch pushed in and get the shifter re-attached. Without the shift handle, you just don't have much leverage.

 

[montespaceship]

 

[Curious Hound]

Have you tried using a ratchet wrench extension or something similar as a handle to move it into neutral?

 

[montespaceship]

Have you tried using a ratchet wrench extension or something similar as a handle to move it into neutral?

Good idea i will give it a go - thank you

 

[montespaceship]

No luck with that.
I should have mentioned before but that part that the shifter sticks into, I can slide it back and forth and the rod that it is on moves a bit with it. I can do this without the clutch being held in though. It wont slide side to side though and wont move into another gear with the clutch held in.