Does anyone have any thoughts about this issue?
06 Dakota, V6,4WD
Won't drive in reverse but drives in every other gear including neutral. I dropped the transmission pan and replaced gasket . Didn't see any metal or band parts in the oil. Is transmission shot?

 

Hail Mary here, but have you checked to make sure the shift linkage bushing on the transmission end is not rotted? i.e., that the tranny is actually getting set (fully pushed back) in reverse by the shift linkage components?

I was having intermittent issues when shifting into reverse for a couple weeks and came to the realization the transmission wasn't getting set in reverse sometimes even though I had shifted to it. Like I said, hail mary here and you've probably already checked that, but worth checking out if you haven't!

 

Wait...It drives in neutral? Maybe improperly adjusted shift linkage cable?

Also, the 42RLE transmission mated to the V6 doesn't have bands...uses wet-clutch packs.