My f250 will go in reverse but not in drive

If there is no fluid in the transmission YOU DONT DRIVE IT!!!! Running a transmission when its dry will just chew out the gears and destroy the gearbox!
**Can you afford a new one?**
Get it to a GOOD transmission specialist and get it repaired!!!

Failing transmission in need of an overhaul?

Yes ,you need to replace only ,after checking vacuum line that runs to it and make sure it's working correct

rebuild the tranny, it's about $2500 . make sure they are reputable company.

Check oil level in gearbox.

Your flexplate and/or torque convertor are out of balance.
If recently replaced it should be a warranty issue.
By your testing you have determined it's transmission related.
I have seen new/rebuilt torque convertors be balanced incorrectly.

the first problem was the truck wouldn't start. replaced the starter, nothing. replaced the battery and solenoid, nothing. had to touch the starter wire to the battery and got the engine to start. so it looks as though something in the ignition maybe the problem. once i have the truck started i can shift into reverse from park and that's it. i can't shift it into neutral or drive. was hoping to hear it is the ignition switch i need to replace and i don't want to hear its the transmission. please help! thank you.

Some of the Ford transmissions actually have an aluminum gear which will go out somewhere around 150 to 200 thousand miles. OR it could be really low on transmission fluid.

Check the linkage. Set the parking brake, and examine the transmission where the linkage connects to the actuator on the transmission, and have somebody operate the shift lever. Take note if the transmission is going into reverse or not and if the actuator on the transmission is always going to the same spot.

If this test does not reveal a problem, disconnect the linkage from the actuator, and move the actuator by hand to the reverse position. you should feel it fall into the reverse position. If it does fall into the reverse position, and the transmission fails to go into reverse, then take it to a transmission shop

I believe that reverse is operated by a brake band. So it seems to be stuck. It is operated by a piston, and the seal could have swelled and caused too much friction. But you could loosen up the adjustor so that it is disengaged, in order to get forward gears again. Perhaps you can force the piston to retract as well, once you drop the pan again.