Hi DangerRanger 337,
You might want to add some vehicle info- Year/Model/2W or 4Wd/6 or 4 cyl and engine size. so someone could help you more.
Also post what issues you're having.

 

Welcome to the forum

Yes, its an M5OD but what year?

Slide the shift rods and forks back and forth to make sure each, of the 3, moves as one unit

Move the dog gears(Synchromesh gears) back and forth to make sure both gears engage, two of the dog gears are pointed to in this pic: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/a...3&d=1501791993

The dog gears connect the input shaft to the output shaft, they are moved forward or back by the shift forks to engage one of their two gears, all 3 placed in between their 2 gears is Neutral
The shifter system is setup so only ONE dog gear can be engaged at a time, only 1 shift rod/fork can be selected by shifter at a time, and that shift rod/fork must be moved back to its Neutral position before another shift rod/fork can be selected
That why the shift pattern looks like it does: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...Layout.svg.png
So two of the dog gears must be in their Neutral position to engage the 3rd dog gear, other wise transmission will be locked up, 2 gears engaged at one time
The 3 shift rods/forks are for 1/2, 3/4, 5/R