I just recently got a 99 F250 with an auto tranny. It's pretty hard to shift the gear selector. The tranny itself shifts smooth but the on the column gear selector feels very stiff.
Is it just a cable I can check and lube up or is it something else that I should replace.
I know there's a post a few down about a shift tube, I just wasn't sure if it was the same thing.
Any help/tips appreciated. Thanks

 

It is a cable, it could be going bad, a new one should cost you about $65 from the dealer.

 

I have the exact same thing,,,, on my 2002 F250HD 4WD Automatic. The shifter is very hard,,, to move,,, transmission works fine, just hard to change positions with shifter.

We did not think it was the cable,,,,,, since it appeared the little bit of free-play in shifter, moved the cable the same distance,, so we thought it was either inside the tranny,, or at the point where the tranny shift lever entered the trans housing.

But, if the common fix is a new cable our quick diagnoses must be incorrect.

So,,, if we remove the cable from transmission end,,,, it will still be stiff or hard to move shift lever, confirming a failing cable.

 

I got my F250 'stiff shifter' problem fixed !!!

It is the transmission range sensor located on the shifter side of the transmission. The sensor costs from 30 to 70 bucks depending on where you get it.

It is a simple plastic switch, that no one will think could bind up the shifter, but it does,,, two trucks here in town were corrected with this simple fix.
Place transmission in Neutral.
No need to disconnect shifting cable. Disconnect the wiring plug, remove two 8mm cap screws,,, pry off old sensor.

You will probably break the old one taking it off,,,and you need to buff up, and lube the shaft where it slides on.

Before installing new sensor, turn the sensor so the two lines on the white collar and black housing line up [trans in neutral ] then carefully tap or push sensor on shaft.

Reinstall bolts, and plug.

Then be careful not to jerk shifter out of column the first time,, it will really work easy now

 

Transmission Range Sensor