Shifting Question
 

97 2.3 5 speed stick, 115,000 miles

Sometimes moving it through the gears gets stiff feeling.....no slipping or anything from clutch but gear selection gets "tight" or "stiff" feeling.
Should I try changing the clutch fluid?

Thanks!

Is it hard to shift into 1st, or any gear, when stopped?
If so that means you may have some air in the clutch hydraulic system, or pilot bearing is worn out

If its harder shifting when just moving then not a clutch issue, you can change the transmission fluid, many like synthetic version for smoother shifting

1997 Ranger will have an M5OD-R1(M5R1) manual transmission, these use ATF, yes automatic transmission fluid in a manual transmission
And they do not use much, 2.8 PINTS, so a quart and a half BONE DRY, usually you can only get a quart back in after draining
Mercon V is what Ford spec'ed, or synthetic version

On drivers side of trans is the drain and fill plugs
You will need a "bottle pump" to refill as its to tight to pour it out of a bottle into the fill hole

Picture of drain and fill holes here: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T...1/IMG_0459.JPG

Ok, Thanks Ron.

So if there's air in the clutch hydraulic system it can be bled?

Yes, it can, unless fluid is leaking out, then air will come back in