I can start my truck in any gear and put it in gear without hitting the brake pedal. Are these issues normal? If not what do I need to look for?

 

well im not 100 % our trucks have these but sounds like a neutral safty swich

 

I assume it is automatic.
Sounds like valve body and steering column are fubarred.
Starts in neutral says neutral safety switch is shorted internally.
Brake interlock is in steering column.

 

mine does also. theres a plastic piece that holds the release cable for thie shifter when you depress the brake. i broke it removing the dash. it works its just not positioned correctly because the tab broke. could be the same. I dont know how you take the dash out without breaking it

 

Ok one day when its warmer I might look into it further. How Could my Valve Body be bad?

 

Mine and every other vehicle I have owned is able to start in nuetral, or am I miss reading your statement?

 

I can move the lever to any position from park without pushing the brake.

 

My 2002 starts in Park and Neutral. I can take it out of gear without using the brake. As far as I know all dodge trucks are the same up through 2002 or 2001 on the 1500 models. There was no brake/shifter interlock.

 

So if I understand correctly. The shifting is normal but, the starting in any gear is not.