Hi, the shifter on my 88 Lariat XLT, 4 spd AOD, column, has gotten really loose. I have to go all the way from Park to 1st then to OD to get it in gear. If I want Reverse I have to shift all the way to Park. For Park I need to go from 1st all the way back. How do I fix this? Thx.

 

If it's like my '93 then it's a cable shifter and either the cable is bad or the adjuster down by the transmission is loose or broken. If you can carefully block the wheels then crawl under the truck and have someone move the shift lever while you check for play.