Got my '98 running again today for the first time in a year. I just recently had the tranny repaired, actually picked it up from the tranny shop Wednesday.

Anyway, got it running, trans was shifting fine, went to get gas, stopped and attempted to put it in reverse, released the clutch and it jerked forward, checked my gear again, it was definately where reverse is supposed to be, released the clutch again, moved forward again.

Apparently, the trans got stuck in second gear somehow, don't know wtf happened. Pulled the linkages off and I cannot get it to go back into neutral and I'm no trans expert, neither is my father who is a mechanic. Any ideas short of taking it to the trans shop?

this happened to me a few times, look under your hood tucked down ontop of the trans almost right below your master cylinder and you'll see 2 cables attached to an arm, one of the clips probably came loose.
When this happened to me i just pulled the plastic piece off of the end of the cable and took off the christmas tree it connects to, then i just put a bolt and a couple washers through the eye of the cable.
I'd have to say that this is one of those "low-bidder" parts.

If its not there then pull off your shift boot and check the cables that are attached to your shifter.

Nope, not that. I ended up taking to the trans shop today and they were able to get the trans back in neutral. Worked fine until they put it in reverse. For some reason when you put it in reverse it just gets stuck in gear. So, now I either have to pay them to take it out so they can inspect it or take it out myself and take it back to them.

yeah thats what mine was doing aswell... so before you hand out god knows how much, check that cable, make sure its attached, then get in and throw the shifter around a little bit and see if it comes undone.

When it first happened i popped it on thinkin everything was alright, the same night i started goin through the gears pretty quick and got stuck in 2nd.
just tryin to save ya some cash

Turned out to be the detent for the shift rails wasn't installed properly.