Since you have conveniently forgotten to mention which vehicle you were driving, it's hard to give any specific suggestions. All of the ones in your list have torque tubes, however, and one just might have a vacuum-assisted column shifter. Those things were notorious for getting stiff and not letting the transmission go into gear, or get partially engaged and wear out the drive lugs of the gears. In any case, a disassembly and inspection is probably in order, followed by a search for some scarce and very expensive parts. Good luck!
Jerry

"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
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