98 Dodge Dakota sport 5 speed transmission jammed in Reverse won't come out

Your Manual should tell you if not then depending on what transmission you have. this should get you close then you can top off after getting it up to operating temperature.
46RE 4-speed Automatic Service Fill 8.00 pints
545RFE 5-speed Automatic service fill 11 pints
545RFE 5-speed Automatic Service Fill 4x4 13 pints

I would check the linkage in the shifter. Also on the transmission, check all the connections.

Reverse synchronizer may be bad. Trans needs rebuilt.

u need new transmission then if the truck wont reverse. Your reverse on the ****** is probly broken

1997 dodge dakota Hi.. check this out it's a website very useful. I bought a manual last year and it very simple and easy.. no need of mechanics. saves a lot of money and time and makes you capable of repairing yourself.

Have you tried checking the tightness of the rod that goes to the transmission and the bottom end of the shifting knob shaft?

75W/90 gear oil.

just try changing your transmission fluid and filter first, and its not a 5.1 its a 5.2 unless you have the 5.9 r/t then it would be a 5.9. i would change fluid and filter first and go from there... and as far as the extra effort it takes to shift from park, try using the parking brake when you park, set the brake before you put it in park and take your foot off the brake pedal, that stops the truck from resting on the transmission park gear and should solve that particular problem.

The transmission/computer is designed not to go into overdrive until it reaches a certain temp and I don't remember what the temp is. Mine does same thing and it has 250,000 miles on it. When you start your truck up do you start it and warm up in neutral? The transmission fluid won't flow unless it is. There is know way to force it to shift into overdrive until it warms to the set temp.

Hope this helps
Howard