Even at their best, they aren't really a "positive" Feeling shifter. Always a little sluggish/mushy feeling, at least to me. Try pennzoil synchromesh, it's one of the thinner syncromesh fluids. A tad thicker than atf, but not too thick to get to the bearings. Most m5od's if not all I've driven don't drop right into 1st until you're almost stopped.

If you want to rule out a clutch issue, get the rear wheels of the ground and shift through the gears without letting the clutch out. Don't let the clutch out at all after starting.

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97 xlt stepside
2.3 m5od
210,000
6/6 drop