hard to shift

Manual 2002 4.0 ranger 4x4 with 176k miles. The truck is getting very hard to shift. I push harder than I should to get it into gear at stops. While driving it is hit or miss. Even into 3rd sometimes I have lots of trouble. Once in gear it doesn't pop out or grind. Here is history: Bought the...

Just replaced my transmission, a 2wd R1. Also replaced clutch, flywheel, master and slave. I'm having trouble shifting, particularly into second and third. The pedal is firm all the way to the ground and I have no problem shifting into first or reverse, nor into fourth or fifth. It does not...