1997 Ford Ranger

Does anyone know how I can get the gear shift off of the manual transmission. We are trying to change the clutch and we are having trouble getting the gear shift off so that we can drop the transmission.

HAHA Good luck, I had to cut mine off my 97 when I had it to put an after market one on. Hacksaws work wonders.

The manual I have says to remove the plastic pattern then to heat it to 140 to 180 degrees with a heat gun then tap it up with a hammer and a block of wood.It Also says to remove the ball and the boot together if you are going to reuse the ball.I've never done this so I don't know if it
will work.

You need to remove the screws that hold the cupholder/plastic cover to the floorboard. Pull the assembly up until you can get under it with a 17mm socket and remove the nut holding the press fit bolt in place. Put the nut onto the other side of the bolt and tighten until it pops the bolt loose. The shift lever will pull off the stub coming out of the trans. Use Torx to remove metal/rubber boot and then remove stub from top of trans.