Replace the various bushings for the shifter.

 

Yes, I believe you are in upshifting from 2nd directly to 5th because of the play in the shifter. If the pin is out on the 3/4 shift rail, you will just feel extra slop because the shifter cant engage in the middle. I saw a message about how to get the lower shift boot off. Do NOT pry it off with a screwdriver. The shifter, boot, and top plate with those 4 bolts in your pic removes the shifter as an assembly. If you pry that lower boot off, water will get into the transmission. I believe your problem is either the pin in the 3/4 rail or the shifter, which you can buy as 1 part number if still available. I believe they were the same for the trucks & Dakotas, so maybe you can find one online new or used.

From where you're at in the pic, place shifter in neutral, remove those 4 bolts, lift the shifter/boot/plate out & have a look. I used a bead of Permatex when I reassembled mine. Transmission oil shoots up there.

Pic of my underbody, magnify the blue bead of Permatex. That's the shifter assembly that comes out whole. Forgive the oil leak -she's 35 years old!

BTW, You're pics & description are confusing because you say it's a 4-speed, then later say it's a 3-speed. Older Dodge van 4 speeds have the shifter like right next to the driver's seat & have linkage like @HeyYou was talking about. To my knowledge, only 5-speeds were offered as factory stock for 1989 vans. Your shifter pic does look like a 5-speed, which is in the center behind the doghouse.

 

I don't believe there are bushings on this shifter. There is no outside linkage like the 4-speed manual. Shifter sits directly on top of the gearbox & all internal parts.

 

I was able to remove the outside boot and SLOWLY try to find each gear and was able to find 3rd and 4th, to my relief. Yes it's a 5 speed and a sloppy one at that. When I'm blasting down the road it is really hard to find the right gear. This weekend I'm going to remove the 4 screws on the top plate and have a look around. Thank you for your reply.

 

I looked online but a few places list the part as discontinued. Here's a link to factory Chrysler parts. You can see the shifter assembly in the diagram. The part number for the NP2500/A535 trans shifter is 04338332, but discontinued on their site.

https://www.factorychryslerparts.com...ssembly=568781

 

If you can engage all the gears, the shift rail pins must still be in. Your choice on whether to remove the shifter now for a look or wait until you find a replacement shifter.

 

I'm gonna take a peek. I need to see what's lurking under there. It's driving me crazy. I'm wondering if I can cannabilize a shifter from these parts and make it work

 

Found an interesting article https://www.transmissiondigest.com/s...-transmission/

 

Be sure to take a pic when the shifter's off.

I thought I posted pics of my '89 Ram Van on my profile page, but nothing there. Here's a couple pics of mine. I'm the original owner. It has the 5300 lb GVWR package which ups the cargo to 1300 lb from 1000 (half ton). It also has the Long Range package which included the 35 gallon tank (really hurts to fill it now), chrome bumpers/grill/taillight bezels (otherwise you got white, no matter what color van), and the stainless wheel covers. I added everything else. I was a bit nervous cutting the hole in the roof - 1st time. Striping, window tint, running boards, roof rack & ladder. It has 4 seats + a custom made bed mattress that fits over the wheel wells. Done a lot of camping. I added the gauges over the engine cover + switches for the illuminated running boards & fog lights. Lost count of how many stereo upgrades.

 

She's beautiful, man! I'm gonna wire in a tach too. Definitely on my list of to do's.