Ah. Ok. Well, for all intents and purposes, you can MAKE that bushing work, so that you can actually drive again. Stick it in the hole, put the rod thru it, then trim it however you have to to get a cotter key in there. (and a washer as well wouldn't hurt.... but hey.... )

 

According to the service manual, it's called the gear shift linkage

Kind of seems like it's just a rubber washer instead of this plastic bushing thing

Think a 1/2" long piece of 1/2" rubber hose would do

 

Bah, now according to rock auto, I have the correct part

1996 DODGE RAM 1500 PICKUP 5.2L 318cid V8 MFI (Y) OHV : Transmission-Automatic : Auto Trans Shift Lever Control Rod Bushing WikiPriceDORMAN Part # 14041 Bushing Kit Pedal and Shift Linkage Bushings
Trans To Control Rod

 

Rubber would be too squishy. (technical term......) You want the good solid bushing in there.

 

Makes sense, that means I needa make this bitch work, I just hope I don't break it...

 

Don't know man, I don't think anything goes there but a pin, just doesn't make sense

If anyone chimes in here, please post a pic of what your gear selector linkage looks like, thanks