You are probably missing two plastic bushings that the shifter pivots in. The shifter is PAIN to disassemble and reassemble.
The plastic handle with the buttons has to come off to takle the cover off. The wires are tricky, and the little sliding dust covers are delicate. I ended up breaking them and replacing them too.

Had the same problem when i got mine


Sold Truck: 89 DLX extra cab 4x4 22re Automatic/ New truck 97 T100 4x4 auto Sr5