Shift lever wont go all the way down?

[Ranger4x4newb]

Ever since i got my 98 4x4 i haven't been able to shift into 1st on the column. Every gear is fine, but sometimes i have to wiggle park around to get it to release the key. I don't have any trouble putting it into gear though. They all feel tight with little play then when i go into 1st the column just stops it midway down between 1st and 2nd. Any ideas on fixing it?

 

[RonD]

Common issue on many Ford Trucks, not just Rangers.
Google: ford truck column shifter loose

Could be the shifter bolts under dash are loose, the most common, or could be cable has stretch or sheath or broken.

 

[Ewgoetz]

So what was done to fix this?
My ranger is doing the same thing.....
And no it is not loose.
It's more on the tight binding side.

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

There are 3 parts to the column shifter
The shifter arm on the column is connected to the Shift Tube, Shift Tube runs down the steering column.
At the other end of the Shift Tube is the lever that is connected to the Shift Cable, this lever is connected to the Shift Tube by two screws which are what often loosen up, the common issue.

When you move the shifter arm it turns the Shift Tube which turns the lever on the end and pulls or pushes on the shift cable.
Shift cables other end, pulls or pushes on the Shift linkage(on transmission) which turns the Shift Rod in the transmission to select gear

Binding could be shift tube issue, it is held in place by 2 "caps" if they loosen up then shaft can bind, or shift tube can crack/break.

Video here on shift tube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6v7iagT-NE

Could be at transmission end as well.
Block the wheels!!!!
Shift transmission into Neutral, shut engine OFF if it was running!!!!
Remove shift cable end from transmission linkage and shift transmission with your hand
Should be easy to shift between Reverse and 1st, PARK can be hard which is why you put it into Neutral first.
If it is hard to move/shift linkage and there is no obvious sign of external problem then shift rod IN the transmission is binding.

But that is a long shot, most binding or looseness is in the column to trans shift system

 

[Ewgoetz]

Welcome to TRS

There are 3 parts to the column shifter
The shifter arm on the column is connected to the Shift Tube, Shift Tube runs down the steering column.
At the other end of the Shift Tube is the lever that is connected to the Shift Cable, this lever is connected to the Shift Tube by two screws which are what often loosen up, the common issue.

When you move the shifter arm it turns the Shift Tube which turns the lever on the end and pulls or pushes on the shift cable.
Shift cables other end, pulls or pushes on the Shift linkage(on transmission) which turns the Shift Rod in the transmission to select gear

Binding could be shift tube issue, it is held in place by 2 "caps" if they loosen up then shaft can bind, or shift tube can crack/break.

Video here on shift tube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6v7iagT-NE

Could be at transmission end as well.
Block the wheels!!!!
Shift transmission into Neutral, shut engine OFF if it was running!!!!
Remove shift cable end from transmission linkage and shift transmission with your hand
Should be easy to shift between Reverse and 1st, PARK can be hard which is why you put it into Neutral first.
If it is hard to move/shift linkage and there is no obvious sign of external problem then shift rod IN the transmission is binding.

But that is a long shot, most binding or looseness is in the column to trans shift system

Ron.... thanks.... but however your video link is for a newer style column shifter. Those shifters are on 96+ fords.
The style on 94 rangers is a older style. I'm kinda surprised you don't know this seeing you have a 94 listed in your profile. Unless someone had swapped yours out with a newer one.

On my 94 this is what the shifter looks like.... nothing like what's in the vid you posted.

Btw I had this issue start before I had my transmission rebuilt. So it's unlikely to be with the trans. Cable possibly.... but I have no idea what to expect in the column. Tried looking for other bids and diagrams of this setup with nothing but failure.

 

[RonD]

Original poster with shifter issue has a 1998

I only buy Manual trans Rangers

This is video of 1992 to 1996 Ford which looks similar to later models: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js-RFJTpp-Q

If you need it