Difficulty Shifting Gears on Manual (Ford Ranger 2001)

Have you checked the clutch fluid level? If the fluid is low enough it could cause these symptoms.

Before you worry about the clutch or the transmission, make sure the fluid level is correct.

If the fluid is OK I’d suspect the master or slave cylinder before the transmission.

Can you shift gears easily with the truck sitting still and the engine OFF? If so, it’s not the transmission, although you should have the transmission lube replaced anyway.