I've got a 1995 F-150, 5 speed manual and it's always been a little hard to shift. Sometimes it's fine, but sometimes it's a little hard to get it into gear. Especially first after it's been sitting idling for a while, like at a red light and I've had it out of gear or shift to 1st when it's time to go instead of right when I stop.
Is this something I should worry about or is this just how these are? I think it actually has a mazda transmission.
Thats really how that hare. I had a 5 speed in my 88 and now my 2000, they shift the same - hard.
You can change the fluid with some synchromesh (it can be purchased at autozene for about 3.99 to 4.99 a bottle and takes almost 4 to fille it up)
this will help make the shifting smooth, atleast it did for my 2000.
You may double clutch or pump the clutch a few times when at the light - that helps for me trying to get it back in first....or often, I have been putting it into second to sync the gears, and then it slips right into first really easy..
I don't know of many cars that upshift very easily from second to first while moving. my subaru wrx has about a 1.5inch throw on the short shift 5 speed, and it won't go into first (from second) very easily unless my speed is around 5 - 10mph. any other speeds and I really have to force it, and that car has 6,000 miles on it.
Yes, you have the Mazda M5OD tranny. It is not good to shove it right into first after idleing in neutral. I usually push the clutch in wait 3 seconds. Then it slips right in.
That's really how they are????? There is nothing wrong with your trans. and the problem as you decribe it is not normal for these trucks or any other. Try shifting into first while rolling slowly, if it goes in easy, and I'll bet that it does, then the problem is a worn concentric slave cylinder. As they get older they accumulate dirt and grime and when you press the clutch pedal down they don't fully disengage the clutch. Ford has upgraded this part with a protective sheath to keep the crud out, as this is a common occurance with these trucks and others with this type of slave cylinder. You should'nt have to do any fancy footwork to get your truck to go into first gear with ease. Ford makes a tool for measuring the travel of the throwout bearing when you depress the clutch, they can also give you the measurment of the required travel to insure that the clutch is disengaging.
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Old age, treachery and cunning will always triumph over youth, speed and agility.
The best thing I ever did for my 5-sp was switch to Red Line D4-ATF fluid. You've got to drive it for a while before you feel the difference, but it made shifting virtually effortless . . .
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'98 F-150 Std., RC, SB, 4x2, 4.2L, 5-sp, 3.08, AC, speed control, rear slider, 196,000+ miles.
Mods: Mobil 1 engine oil, Red Line D4 ATF trans fluid, Edelbrock IAS shocks, si/so 50 Series Flowmaster, airbox mod, Perma-Cool electric radiator fan, Superchip, ASP underdrive pulley, Magnecor wires, UnderCover, reman engine (@148,000 mi)
Bob, my understanding is that when idleing in neutral then pushing the clutch in to shift to first is that the clutch and forward part of the tranny is still spinning for a moment. Waiting two or three seconds allows these parts to stop and first to slip right in without the syncros having to work.
AdrianSpeedmiester, I agree whole heartedly, one should never force a trans. into gear, and for the reason you state, things are still spinning. My point was to convey that if the trans. is difficult to shift into first and requires unusual measures to get it to do so, then something is wrong. For some odd reason the M5OD seems to have taken a bad rap over the years, perhaps because it's a Mazda trans. Difficulties shifting into first at a stop, especially when cold, is a common complaint. I personally have seen perfectly good M5ODs completely rebuilt because shifting problems were misdiagnosed. A complete rebuild on one of these runs in the neighborhood of 1500 to 1700 bucks. The simple truth is that the M5OD is a dandy trans. when used within it capability - it's a light duty trans. Most shifting problems are the result of lack of service, incorrect fluid and the finicky, original equipment concentric slave cylinder. Your specific point, is well taken, and I don't disagree.
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Old age, treachery and cunning will always triumph over youth, speed and agility.
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There is nothing wrong with your trans. and the problem as you decribe it is not normal for these trucks or any other. Try shifting into first while rolling slowly, if it goes in easy, and I'll bet that it does, then the problem is a worn concentric slave cylinder. As they get older they accumulate dirt and grime and when you press the clutch pedal down they don't fully disengage the clutch. Ford has upgraded this part with a protective sheath to keep the crud out, as this is a common occurance with these trucks and others with this type of slave cylinder. You should'nt have to do any fancy footwork to get your truck to go into first gear with ease. Ford makes a tool for measuring the travel of the throwout bearing when you depress the clutch, they can also give you the measurment of the required travel to insure that the clutch is disengaging. 
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