Okay I put new clutch in 94 ranger 5sp. I removed shifter and put fluid in from top. First time np, second Time I failed to put shifter in neutral before I pulled it. I had to find neutral with shifter not attached. I noticed that there is a spring loaded lever in the top of the case. What is itsi purpose and in what position should it be in. Front middle or back

 

You have an M5OD-R1(M5R1) manual trans

Shop manual here: https://therangerstation.com/tech_li...hop_manual.pdf

Not sure what you are describing

There are 3 shift rails one for each Pair of gears
Each shift rail has a slot for the shifter arm
When the 3 slots are lined up in the center, that is Neutral

Around 1994 some M5R1s came with a Neutral switch, it has a plug in for a wire, this switch was never used in Rangers but was used in some Explorers.
Could that be the "lever" you see?

Pictures here: https://therangerstation.com/Magazin...bushings.shtml

Last picture shows 2 of the 3 shift rail slots lined up

 

Apparently the lever I was speaking of is important. I put it in the other position available, up against the shifter. It works properly now, no grinding or noise when downshifting