M5OD-R1 hard to shift

[SamC777]

‘94 Ranger XLT 4x4, 3.0. The standard trans in my truck has been very hard to shift into 1st and more recently 2nd gear. It seems to be progressing to 3rd. This issue began back in May.

Fluid is full and changed within the last year. I had this transmission rebuilt back in ‘23, replacing the clutch while I was at it, and it had run just fine since. It gets easier at faster speeds and higher gears, but starting from a stop, I often have to shift into other gears before it will shift into 1st. And even then, it’s a real fight!

Is this an issue with the synchro’s? Am I looking at another rebuild here?

 

[Brain75]

Most likely the slave cylinder, was it replaced with the clutch?
FWIW, the tech section has a few articles and there is a plethora of posts on this weakest link in the setup. Might try bleeding it (if you ever opened it from the factory original they are almost impossible to bleed right - try elevating the nose since the cylinder sits with a slight down angle, and then using a vacuum to help pull the bubbles out.) Might search here and feel the pain of others (me too, the Previous Owner replaced the clutch without slave), and check out some youtube videos on the problem.