Chosen Solution
Why is my f-150 5 speed xlt hung in gear
Johnny Johnson you definitely can remove the shifter with the transmission remaining. Actually you will have to remove the shifter to drop the tranny. Here are the instructions from 1980-199 Ford Pick-Ups. Typical Haynes, kind of crummy but hope it’ll help you out.
Since yours is a 5-speed and you did not mention anything about OD, I added the manual for the Mazda S5-42 ZF Transmission Mazda_Ford-ZF-S5-42-Transmissi.pdf
