Hi i have a 1992 ford ranger stx i believe 3.0 v6 (it’s a long bed) and i’m having problems with the shifting (it’s an automatic). this is my first vehicle and i don’t know nothing about vehicles like that. i got it and drove it back just fine everything was working just fine and then 3 months go by (i let it sit because it had a lot of work to do on it) i bought all the parts i need because i had someone take a look at it and i need a new radiator new alternator new waterpump new powersteering pressure hose new sender and sensor for temp a lot of new stuff lmao, and 6/23/21 we got everything on and we started it and everything was working drove it around and it seemed fine until i went back to park it and it wouldn’t go into park it would just stay in reverse and then i put it to reverse and it would go to neutral and then i’ll go to neutral it’ll go to drive and i try to put it in 1 and it wouldn’t let me it would stay on 2 and then i try to go back to park and it would say i’m in park but reality i’m in reverse so i turned it off and the guy went below and put it in to park and he told me its just the shift linkage that needs to be replaced or adjusted and i couldn’t find anything online for it nor showing how can i adjust it i don’t know how to do that and i couldn’t find any photos of what to do so i really need help.

 

Welcome to the forum

Good news its NOT a transmission issue, its a shifter issue, so external mechanical issue with shifting mechanism

Not an uncommon issue with any Ford truck with column shifter, not Ranger specific

Google: Ford Ranger loose column shifter

Loads of videos on what to check
And there are issues that can come up INSIDE the steering column, broken shift rod or bad bushings

Also there is a shifter cable that comes out of the firewall in engine bay and runs down to drivers side of transmission
Give it a good look to make sure the sheath around the cable has not split, uncommon issue, but not never heard of, lol

The P R N D 2 1 indicator on the dash is NOT directly related to transmission's shifter position, it's an adjustable indicator for drivers convenience, so that can be reset after the trouble with shifter has been found and repaired, as needed