Title says it all...
anyhow, my significant other acquired a 1982 f250. It is in excellent shape, super low miles. He parked it at our cabin and was going to bring it to the house. Then, he passed away. It sat covered in 5-10' of snow for nearly 6 months. I have put a battery, new gas, etc. It fired right up. 2 days ago I thought I'd better get it moved before it snows again. Well, it won't go into reverse. Moved forward ok, but couldn't back it up. Any ideas? I'm kinda on my own but have some mechanical knowledge. Any thoughts appreciated.

 

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. It's probably a T18 or T19 trans and to reverse they can be stubborn sometimes. Check the gear oil level is easy, top it off or change it.

Sometimes you can double clutch or catch 1st or third and then to R. It's also a possible linkage problem or interior trans issue.

 

Thanks for the info. We had it parked in a place where it could easily be moved, but for some reason my BIL went to the cabin and pushed it "out of the way". Now, it's sitting 4 or 5 ' from a cliff. I'm a little nervous to go forward too much but will try again.

 

You don't need to move much if at all. Just getting into the gear sometimes realigns the reverse gear. Don't go over the cliff! You can throw a big block under the front wheel to keep you from going more than 6 inches. You won't need to move much if any.

 

We dont know if it is a auto or manual transmission what do you have?
A 250 if manual would be one of T18 or NP435 as I dont think it would have a T19 but if it is any of them the reverse is to the right and back to the seat.
As said it can be a little hard to get into dear and more so if been sitting when cold out.
If you can let it run in nutral so the gear oil moves around and warm up a little.
Some times when going into reverse or granny gear letting up a little on the clutch and push in back in while trying to get it into gear.
It gets the gears moving a little to line up so it will go into gear.
I need to do this on my 81 F100 with a NP435 and my big rig work truck.

Now if auto I would check the ATF level to make sure it is up to full as alow level can make it not go into gear.
Other than letting it run and get up to temp I dont have much more to give.
Maybe once out and you can drive it some reverse may come back? Could be a stuck valve and why it will not back up?
Dave ----

 

Dave, good point on the trans type, but I figured the OP didn't have AT since you have to go through R to get to D, 2,1. The OP said can't get into R. So I assumed it was manual

 

The title said wont go in reverse, to me that is wont move in reverse

But in the post it said wont go "into" reverse so who know what one it is.
Wont go into or move in reverse or the transmission?
Guess we need a little more information?
Dave ----