ok so heres my problem...i have a 1988 samurai and up untill today 2ed gear went in and out perfectly. randomly after driving it it WILL NOT shift into second unless i am completely stopped and run it through the sequence 3-4-1- THEN 2. i have never had this problem. any ideas on whats wrong?

OH and second gear is not gone. if i put it in second gear by doing what i said above then it will drive no problem. but will not go from 1 to 2 or down from 3 to 2. im stumped

check your shifter bushing and bolt.  I'd lay odds that the shifter sheet, or bushing if you will,  has crumbled, as is common.  worth lookin at.  mine was kinda tough until I replaced taht.