i have an 89 honda crx and the shift rod is laying on the ground. i rigged it back together and now only get 3rd and 4th gear. should i just replace the spring pin and retainer or replace the whole transmission.

Replace the pin unless you feel you need to replace the trans.

thank ya sir i think that is where i will begin. i will report back.

i used stainless steel m8 x 35 bolt with lock nut and a couple washers. it now shifts better than it did before. thanks for the help.

How did it end up setting on the ground?

Nothing wrong with using a nut and bolt, would be easier to pull out in the future than the pin and retainer used by Honda.