My 2002 Ranger has an ongoing issue with the gear shift, it has been worked on 3 times and engine will currently only turn over in neutral. Movement of the shift bar makes a crunchy sound and never really locks into a position. I've had these notes from the mechanics:

GEAR SHIFTER NOT STAYING IN PLACE
SHIFT CABLE LOOSE AND MISADJUSTED
ADJUSTED SHIFT CABLE FROM UNDER VEHICLE.
SHIFTER NOW GOES INTO ALL GEARS BUT TRUCK SLIPS WHEN IN PARK AND HAS TO BE STARTED IN NEUTRAL
SHIFTER CABLE IS STRETCHED FROM TRANSMISSION TO STEERING COLUMN. A LOT OF PLAY IN SHIFTER ASSEMBLY AS WELL.

Not sure why they keep adjusting rather than replacing the whole gear shifter, or maybe that would cost more than the value of the truck? Would like any advice on getting this repaired to a safe condition.

 

Welcome to the forum

Assuming automatic transmission

Could be a few things most of these would be in the cab
Google: Ford Ranger loose column shifter

All Ford trucks used the same column shifter setups so have the same issues if something gets loose or breaks

Broken shift tube is the hardest to fix, and reads like it could be your issue, Google: Ford Ranger shift tube replacement
Steering column needs to be disassembled

These things need visual explanations which is why I am suggesting you look(google) at several Videos about it, so you can determine what fits your symptoms

Visually inspect the shift cable after it comes out of cab at the firewall, sheath can split so cable inside has no "reference point" for movement, this causes need to constantly readjust shifter, as does the rest mentioned above

 

Thanks for the info, I found this video for starters:
I've tightened the bolt mentioned in vid (it was loose) and am now trying to look at the bushings on the shift tube. The steering column is high and I'm not sure it can be lowered to get at them. Here's a comment which gives detail on how someone repaired this.

"I have resolved my issue. If anyone else experiences this problem after tightening the two screws as shown in this video. Lower your steering column 4 - 13mm nuts. Remove the black plastic housing behind steering wheel. This will give you access to the shift tube. That is mounted on top of your steering column. The problem is usually the 2 plastic bushings that are on the shift tube. They either move from where they are supposed to be, which is under both shift tube mounting u straps. My issue was both plastic bushings were wore out, and the one closest to my steering wheel had moved towards the firewall about 3 inches. And my strap closest to the firewall was actually completely broken. So when trying to shift the shifter this allowed the entire shift tube to move. Instead of being held firmly in place. A quick trip to advance auto and $23.00 later I had a new metal u strap with bushing and I purchased the other bushing. Replaced those items bolted everything back up and it works like a charm. No more slop or play. It's very tight like when it was new. I hope this helps others that experience the same problem that I had."

 

Got this done,the main work was getting the steering column "unpacked" and lowered. I had one 13mm bolt with mushroomed threads that needed an impact driver to remove. I did have a new shift tube kit on hand, $39 at Advance Auto, but the one in place was fine. Both bushings were stripped so I popped new ones on, adjusted shift indicator and spray lubed shift gears on chassis. Truck starts in park again and shifts all gears correctly, a bit stiff but should improve with continued lubing. Those Google refs and YT videos saved the day, thanks a lot.