The lever was unable to move left / right or forward / back..... Seemed like it was stuck in 2nd gear postion...(the stick pulls right out the top , also need that coupler that holds the lever in i bought the truck like this)....pulled the top cover off the trans there is the lower idler/reverse gears does the longer fork go between those two gears??? How far should first gear slide back on the mainshaft to align this up??? Any other thoughts on this...thanks

I had an old Bronco with the same problem. If that dome shaped coupler is not locked down it won't let you move the shifter at all. It's a bastard to put in too, that spring has alot of tension on it. It's been 10 years or so since I had one apart. But i remember that the forks ride in the groves for the syncro's on the front side of the gears. There should be plastic or nylon clips on the end of the forks they fit perfectly in the grooves with almost no slop. Make sure you have them. Funny thing is I bought a set of those clips from the dealer back then, They told me it was the last set in the country. if they aren't on your forks check the bottom of the trans to see if they fell in.

My 79' Big B has the NP 435 & I have experienced the "locked up dealio".:(
Six states or any good tranny shop will have the plastic shift fork deals, I believe the service guy @ Six States called them shift fork guides. Tranny shifted much better afterwards. 30 yr. old stuff does wear out.