Now, a cable-controlled reverse gear would be pretty trick as a theft deterrent. Pull out the PTO or manual choke or throttle knob, whichever you use, when you park. Then, someone fishes for a forward gear to get it to move, (and it won't) and if they think to leave the truck in neutral, it'll only go backwards.
Of course, if the linkage only comes from the column, that wouldn't work.