97 ford ranger wont go into first or second gear
 

I have a high mileage 97 ford ranger with the 5 speed manuel. It won't go into first or second gear. Goes into third, fourth, fifth, and reverse. i had to take off in 3rd to get home from a couple miles from my house. Thanks for any input you guys can give me.

Can you shift it into those gears if the engine is off?
What does it feel like when it won't go in?
My high-mileage '97 is tricky to get into first/second, too. I think it's a combination of a slave that works less than 100% and worn synchros. It goes in OK if the engine is off.

it actually shifter actually slides past where it should stop to be in first, like it's not grabbing the gear

it is a common problem with these trannies. blocking rings are another thing to suspect in addition to the above

I just talked to a guy that said his ranger did the same thing, and all he did was pull the shifter out and set it back in, and it fixed it at least temporarily. That did not work for me.

were the washers and bushings intact when you pulled it out. they are know to go bad.

Yeah may be lookin' at a rebuild, new clutch, bearing, slave, synchros. Not bad, will definetly greatly increase the life of the tranny.