hey guys, i'm having problems all around!  it started off that i couldn't shift into reverse.... i'd either have to keep forcing it into gear, or push it towards the R and slowly let the clutch pedal out, until it fell into place....  then it got to where i had to use excessive force on the clutch pedal just to crank it... now its gotten to where i have to turn the key into the start position, and stomp the clutch so it will crank.... i'm assuming all except for the first is the clutch cable, but i don't know about the reverse deal... it doesn't do it all the time... it will work fine for a few days, then have that problem for a few days...  do i need to adjust the clutch cable, and how?  also, what other problems might i have that could be related to all of these... i don't feel or notice clutch slippage, and everything shifts fine... but could it be the beginning of some major problems?

the going into r is your syncros. evr had an oil change?

Starting problem could be a dusty clutch pedal positon sensor, providing your driving a Sidekick or Sunrunner or simular.  They get dirty and picky.  I need to clean mine twice a year. If your clutch is engaging really close to the floor just adjust it.  There should be an adjustment screw or bolt on the cable.  Just tighten it up a bit and try it out. There should be some play before the clutch pedal engages the clutch so dont tighten it up to much. If you cant get it into gear it sounds like an adjustment problem.  When my clutch cable broke it wouldnt go into gear no matter how hard i tried.

bandit, yeah i did my first oil change since i've had it a week or two ago... what's the syncros? blasted, yeah, its a 96 tracker... how do i go about cleaning, or even finding the clutch pedal position sensor?  and about the shifting, everything is fine, except for the reverse, and its only random when that problem occurs...  i'm new to trackers and stuff, and i don't have a repair manual yet... so could you explain how to find and clean that sensor?

Follow your clutch pedal up to the stop. (from the floor look up into the dash) There should be a sensor there somewhere. Its a switch really. Its mounted just above or below the stop. The leg of the clutch pedal actuates the switch.  So you should be able to find it.. IF not post again and i can dig out the tilt steering colum I have and take a pic.