So my 2002 Ranger has a loose shifter. It will not go down into 1 but will go to park. I searched you tube and saw that your suppose to tighten these 2 bolts that back out all the time. I did that and it didn't help anything. I also didn't tighten them super tight, in fear that i may strip them or something. Any ideas on what else it could be or should i just tighten the bolts super tight??

 

I had a very loose shifter on my '02. Like you, tightening those bolts didn't do much to fix the problem. I had to replaced the entire shift tube and bushings inside the steering column to fix it.
Maybe try disconnecting the cable from the Neutral Safety Switch / Range Sensor at the transmission and see if you can shift into 1 to eliminate that as a problem.

 

They just need to be tight, they get obviously loose and even fall out, so snug is fine

If it is still loose then, yes problem may be the Shift Tube, inside steering column

Also check the linkage on the transmission, but that won't make shifter feel loose, just won't shift to all the gears

 

If i have to replace the shift tube how involved is that repair?

 

Google: ford ranger shift tube replacement

Watch the videos

Reason being, your idea of "involved" might be different from mine.

 

Yeah i did and the more i look at it the more i think that that is the problem. I should be able to do that, doesn't look to bad. I did the dash lights in the truck, and this shouldn't be to much harder than that from what i saw in the videos.

 

Do you think it's just the bushings or the whole tube needs to be replaced

 

The shift tube can break at the bottom end, but for sure replace the bushings

 

 

Yes, separate parts

 

Ok, i guess i will take it apart and see if need if i just need bushings instead of buying both first

 

It depends on which shift tube you buy. Some come with bushing and some without. Dorman 905-102 comes with bushings. It will be obvious when you are ordering it.