i own a 1994 Ford Ranger 2.3L. everytime i try to shiftinto first it
wont let me. if i do get it into first 2 and 3 and 4 work then it
wont let me shift into 5th. nor will it let me shift into reverse.
Clutch? Clutch plate? Slave? what should i do?

Manual tranny, how many miles? Over 100k just replace the clutch,
plate, slave or whatever. Get the rear crank oil seal too if it shows
signs of leakage. Can you downshift or does it "judder"? You're
probably on borrowed time before you have to call AAA for a tow.

It's 60% likely to be related to the hydraulic clutch system. It sounds
like air in there to me. You have to drop the trans to replace the slave
cylinder, so you might as well replace the clutch and stuff while you're
there. You can try bleeding it, but the only reason there'd be air in there
is from a leak.

However, It's 40% likely to be related to the shift forks. The shift forks
on that M5OD are aluminum. It's not unusual for them to become damaged or
broken after high miles or improper shifting.

CJB

Did you ever get you Ranger running again? I had the same problem and
replaced the Master and Slave (Last night) I bleed the clutch and I am
not getting any air out but the dumb clutch will not engage/
disengage. Know of any tricks or anything I am not doing? .
Alan