I got a 98 f150 4wd 4.6 i have searched and find stuff about the shifter being loose bit cant find my problem. my problem is that it is hard to pull the shifter. the needle lines up with the right gear number but its hard to get it there. what could be causing this

 

There are bushings on the shifter shaft in the engine compartment that wear. They are at the bottom of the steering column shaft. If your truck has a cable that runs to the trans. It may need to be replaced. I'd start there.