05 Ranger stick - transmission & clutch pedal questions

Hello group,

I recently bought an 05 Ranger XLT I4 5spd 2wd.  I have driven
stickshifts for many years, and have owned new vehicles, and have put
new transmissions (not transaxles) into vehicles.  I've had 15 of them
in all, of many different makes.  I have never felt such sticky / balky
synchros in my life!  I've had worn trannies that ground a bit going to
2nd, but that's not the case here.  The truck has 8k miles on it.  I
always shift with an easy hand, never force it, speed shift, or do
anything stupid like that.  I even often blip the throttle on downshifts
to spare the drivetrain unnecessary strain.  I've never hauled or towed
too much with it, 800-1000 lbs. at very most.

There are times when I go for 1st or 3rd, in particular, and it
literally won't into the gear; I have to try again.  This is not always
good in traffic!  Will the gearbox loosen up, or is this just how it
will be?  I understand it's a Mazda gearbox.  My Mazdas have always
shifted well.

Also, the clutch pedal squeaks / rubs, and my TriFlo doesn't seem to
make any difference with that plastic shaft, which I assume is connected
to the clutch master cyl.  Is this typical, too?

Many thanks.  This has really been bugging me!

Luke