I replaced the transmission in my 2002 f 150 and the shift linkage doesnt hook up proper. The mounting bracket on new trans is too close to trans itself and has to bend to hook up.

Block all wheels front and back so you don't get squished.
Have a close look at the shift linkage with the key on but the engine off with an assistant slowly shifting through all gears.
If you can see the shift arm on the side of the transmission going through all positions and can hear it clack into each gear, then the issue may quickly become a need for transmission rebuild.

First thing is to get safety glasses,block wheels securely !!...set emergency brake..,get a good flashlight.Disconnect negative battery cable...Some can wear inside the steering column,some can be a worn linkage cable ...The lever on the transmission located under vehicle Trans at lower part of trans,driver side can become loose or possibly damaged...First get under vehicle with safety glasses and observe operation of the lever where shift cable is mounted while assistant puts it in park...make sure the trans shift lever mounting nut is tight before shifting..If assistant can't get it in park use your hand and push forward on the linkage arm and it should go into park manually...If this is the problem you need to change shift cable...Some wear inside the column where steering wheel is mounted..If cab shifter feels very loose ..You will have to remove steering wheel and column cover to inspect."..The cable runs from trans to the steering column..Look between gas and brake pedal and verify cable coming up through floor board and runs to steering column...Double check shifter lever at trans is tight because it is mounted on a splined stud and it can strip the stud threads if it becomes loose..If loose remove lever and inspect splines for damage..Call dealer and make sure they have the part..Remove old cable from trans and put it in park with your hand...Remove and replace cable..Be sure lever inside cab and lever on the trans are both fully engaged into park while cable is removed before installing new cable....Attach new cable.....

I'd venture to say your linkage is out of adjustment - don't mess with the bands if the transmission worked before. Move the shift lever all the way to the lowest gear detent (farthest away from Park), then tighten the linkage cable adjustment until the shifter on the transmission is right at its stop on the transmission. The shift indicator needle should be centered on the letter. (If the transmission is now working properly and the needle is still off, you can adjust the needle inside the shifter housing by sliding its clip on the bracket attached to the shift lever. I didn't say it would be easy to get at it...)

Click image for zoom...

Fig. 1: Park/neutral position switch and manual lever

The switch is mounted in the transmission and has no direct adjustment. Proper operation is determined by correct shift linkage adjustment.

1. Raise and support the front end on jackstands.
   
2. Place a drain pan under the switch.
   
3. Unscrew the switch from the transmission.
   
4. Replace the switch, using a new seal. Tighten the switch to 24 ft. lbs. (33 Nm).
   
5. Refill the transmission.

Hope this helps (remember to rate this answer).

if trans not slipping and shift o.k true out its shift range
i would look at adjustiing the selector swich if electric
or lever control if linkaged if electric a new selector swtch may be required
if linkaged parts in linkaged may start to wear (bushings etc)
also look at engine and motor mounts if system is linkaged

sounds like the throttle valve (TV) cable is adjusted wrong. Proper adjustment procedure: with engine warm and turned off find the adjuster fo TV cable. the cable is the one hooked to the bottom of the throttle lever on the carb, follow it back to the bracket, there will be a metal tab on top of the cable, depress this tab and push the black part of the cable where the wire comes out, toward the rear of the car, it should go all the way in. Now grab the throttle lever on the top where the throttle cable hooks up and push it wide open, it will be difficult, and you will hear some clicking from the TV cable bracket, once you get it wide open just release the throttle and the adjustment is done. If it does not shift correctly now have a trans shop look at it, as the TV cable is the only adjustment on this trans. All this info is assuming you have an overdrive trans, either 200r4 or 700r4.

it should mount on the front of the trans mission rite above the gear shift on the trans

sounds like linkage is out of ajustment, or it got hooked back up wrong, or it got bent when the old one was taken out, or new one was put in, or new trans. is for a differant model like car or truck ect.

i found with mine there was a bar that ran up to the carborator from the linkage that was not secured properly once i hooked it up my trans shifted better but i lost some performance so the bar is a governer of sorts.

if memmory serves me correct its been a while since last tranny rebuild and adjustment
on a 700-r4 type transmission
make sure that the shim kit was used properly with this transmission cause wrong sized length of linkage can make the trans. shift improperly
you have the linkage under neith adjusted wrong the shift bar on tranny should face 90 degrees up towards front of vehicle engine for proper adjustment