I just bought this Ford Ranger a week ago and it seems very difficult to down shift into 2nd and 1st gear is much harder. Just today while downshifting into first the clutch was engaged and my gears grinded. What could this possibly be? I've driven stick before but I'm no expert. And help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Most stick shift transmissions for automobiles have synchronizers that will get the gears in the trans at the same speed as the engine for "grindless" shifting.

They are called blocking rings and are usually made with a brass alloy. Sometimes these blocking rings wear or split and don't do their job and have to be replaced.
If that is the case , trans removal is required and disassembly in order to replace those blocking rings. The hardest part is removing and installing the trans.


I believe your vehicle may have a hydraulic clutch system, make sure the clutch master cyl is full and working correctly.