Shifter

[Don Phelps]

I'm trying to work on my 97 Ranger.
Pulled the 5 speed floor shifter out and when I put it back in it's stuck in gear and won't come out.
When I pulled it it was in 1st gear.
Any idea how to get it out of gear and get it shifting right?
Thanks for any help!
Don

 

[Curious Hound]

If I recall, there are detents that the bottom of the shifter fits into. Take a long, clean screwdriver and line up all the detents in the middle position. That is neutral, which is the best position for removing and installing the shifter.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

^^^ yep.
In other words, make everything in the hole a mirror image from side to side and top to bottom. That will be neutral position. Reinstall shifter.

 

[Don Phelps]

I'll give it a go, thank you!

 

[scotts90ranger]

Yep, should be able to reach in with a screwdriver and get it back in neutral, I remember getting mine stuck somewhere too when I had it apart last year, was able to use a screwdriver to fix it...

 

[Don Phelps]

Worked out great.
Stuck screwdriver in towards the back found the "lever" clicked it forward and whalah, in neutral!
Put it all back together and shifting fine.
Thanks for the assist!
Don