I need to remove my shifter. I read Dropzones thread with the tool he made but I don't have the tools right now to do that. Anyone got any idea getting out with hand tools? Also do I need to shoot and PB blast on it or WD-40 to help loosen it? I assume I need to be pressing on the inner ring that is pushed up by a spring and turn it counter clockwise?

 

I have used screw drivers before .. just press them down and twist
if you use a "spray" , just remember , it's going to leak down into the oil and contaminate .. so , I wouldn't , and never have

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What exactly am in pressing down on though? On the metal part that has the whole the shifter goes though or down inside the hole on something?

 

On most transmissions there is a dome that is held down by a C-Clip. You push down on the dome to let pressure off of the C-Clip and then compress the clip to let the shifter out.

I see you have and 83 and know some of those transmissions can be set up a little different then what I am use to seeing so may not be much useful information for you.

 

the little internal dome can get rusted inside the shifter housing.
spray the crap out of it with something like PB Blaster and let it soak.

pushing down with a channel lock can help to loosen it. It needs to rotate about a quarter turn to the left to release.
a light tap with a screw driver or hammer can also help release it

I don't recall there being an internal 'C' clip on L-Series transmissions like there is an the Transfer case selector lever

 

On my 82 5 speed there was no clip, I just pushed down with a regular screwdriver turned about 1/4 inch to the left(I think), came out very easy.

 

Ok well it pushes down a little but it won't turn, I can hear a gritty sound when I try and turn so there must some dirt and crap in there. This is really hard to to do when the tranny is lowered and still under the truck. I'm gonna put it back up after in done with the clutch and try and make a tool to access easy from the cab. Probably a cross of what Rob made and what the factory tool looked like

 

Don't know if this helps but I recently changed the two bushing, one that's attached to the rod and another that's somewhat coned, it just sits in there. The way I removed it was by pushing down and twisting it about a 1/2" counterclockwise and it should come out.