Can't Shift into Drive

[FordandPolaris]

So I went inside the gas station today to buy a soda, and when I came out, I couldn't shift my truck back into drive. The truck goes through reverse, and into neutral, but it just will not drop down any farther. The reverse gear seemed to work fine, because we used it to put it up on the flat bed. I am hoping that I get off easy and don't need a new tranny, is there anything that I should look for, or has anyone had a similar problem that would be willing to share their results? I am debating pulling the steering column apart tomorrow, but I don't know yet. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[walnuts4x4]

I would start with the with the column and go from there....

 

[FordandPolaris]

Well I took it to the tranny shop with the expectation of replacing the transmission. The guy dropped the pan, and pulled out the shifting plunger (thats how he referred to it anyways) and did not see any metal shavings in the fluid. He also did not see anything that was jamming it. He put it back together just to check, and it shifted fine. Refilled the fluid after replacing the pan, and now the original tranny seems to work just great. Problem solved for now I spose!