i just bought a 95 4x4 the truck has the 300 with a 5 spd overdrive. its real tough to find the 1st and 2nd gear the gears work fine when you find them its just tough hitting the right slot . im thinking something wore on the shifter but only has 204.000 km any ideas

 

The most common problem on your trans is the shifter pins break off which causes the problem you describe. Go on eBay and type in "M5R2" and you should find a kit that replaces the pins and the cover for about $25 or so.

 

awesome i just ordered the kits was like 32 us hopefully that cures the problem

 

The shift forks also bend on those transmissions. I recall those transmissions often get reliable around 100kmi, so at 204km (~127kmi), you're pushing your luck. Do like Jas88 says, maybe replace the shift forks, and definately replace the 3 rubber seals on the back of the top plate. Search the 87-96 forum, there's lots of threads on the M5ODR2 (HD) transmissions.

 

I have an 89 f150 where I can't get it into 1st or any gear anymore, do you think it's the same problem ?

 

It could be insufficient clutch hydraulic slave cylinder travel, due either to it needing bleeding, or too much firewall flexing, as was the problem with my '85 van.

 

oh I will have to check em when I can

 

how would I check the firewall flexing though ?

 

In my case the firewall was never welded to the toe board. The seam was just covered over with a bead of sealer. After many attempts to bleed the system I knew something else had to be going on. I had a friend stroke the clutch pedal and i noticed the movement on the firewall. But, I was also an automotive engineer at the Blue Oval and observed lab tests in the Chassis Test Lab where severe clutch pedal loads were applied to the firewalls and the firewalls moved visibly and through dial indicator movement. Some additional reinforcement may be in order. Just sayun'.

 

ya all seems to be in good order, do you think if my shifter was loose, I would have a problem, or could it be my shift forks ?

 

It could be either - or both.
I had a foreign car - a Hilman - that I could not get in reverse gear. It was a sheared pin in the shift lever.

 

so the safest bet would be to just swap both out then, anyway I could get them cheap online ?