I did this last time on my truck and under/behind the steering column where the shifter connects to the cable was the hardest part. Recently the plastic guard shaft broke and I have another replacement I need to install because if I shift into drive too far, I have trouble getting it out of drive. I know I damaged it when I replaced it the first time.

Is this always meant to be difficult or is there a trick I'm missing?

Thanks.

 

I always put it trough the floor first, then into the bracket on the transmission and leave the cable end loose.. Then I come back into the truck and curl the cable around and then snap it into the anchor then snap the end on the ball on the shift lever.. Then finish up by snapping the ball end on the transmission, I leave it until last so the cable has room to flex while going through all the twists and turns inside..

This is a little back and forth action but it seems to stress things a little less. YMMV

 

It went in a lot easier this time, but something still isn't right.

I can shift into all gears fine but if I am all the way into 1st gear then I can't shift out of 1st unless I reach under and guide the shaft on the shifter cable back into position. It's as if the shifter cable wasn't made correctly. The last one I replaced did this. The only OK need that didn't was the stock one