Stubborn 2nd/3rd Gear

[CircleCityRabbit]

Tried a search but couldnt find anyone with a really similar problem.
It's a 76' F100, 3 speed toploader. Fires up and runs in reverse and 1st gear perfect, however, I cant for the life of me get it into 2nd or 3rd gear. The old man I bought it from was able to slam it into 2nd and 3rd both but im guessing I dont have his same touch. Even with the truck not running it wont shift into 2nd or 3rd. Am I possibly just looking at some loose linkage binding up? Going to check that now, or am I possibly looking at bad synchros in the trans? I'm an engine guy not a trans guy lol so be easy on me guys, thanks in advance for your replies!

 

[Fellro]

Sounds along the lines of damaged synchros. The old grain truck is like that for going from 1st to second. Having driven IH tractors all my youth, I am quite familiar on getting the gears to mesh even when the synchros don't want to...

 

[blacksnapon]

Either synchronizers or shift fork. My guess, shift fork, because second and third are on the same rail.

 

[CircleCityRabbit]

Thanks for the replies guys, just a quick update, I got it to drive fine, all it took was wiggling the shifter a little coming out of 1st and it will slide it to 2nd perfect. Seems like it doesn't want to release out of 1st unless you wiggle it back and forth a bit.

 

[primetime]

I would check out the linkage in the column. Could be it`s getting worn out and that is your problem, not so much a tranny issue.