99 Ranger/ Automatic / 305 motor
As I begin to accelerate from 1st gear..prior to shifting to 2nd gear..the RPMs seem to run alittle higher then normal and when it shifts to 2nd it shifts a little hard. I can feel a little jerk when it shifts. No problems with the other gears only from 1st to 2nd.

Sounds like your clutch might be worn out. how many miles on this clutch?

I thought I read 99 Ranger/Automatic/305.
Sounds like you have a delay between first and second. You may have to see an auto tranny mechanic to do pressure point test. I find auto trannies to be a wee bit complex of an equipment.

99 Ranger/ Automatic / 305 motor
As I begin to accelerate from 1st gear..prior to shifting to 2nd gear..the RPMs seem to run alittle higher then normal and when it shifts to 2nd it shifts a little hard. I can feel a little jerk when it shifts. No problems with the other gears only from 1st to 2nd.

If it is just doing it from 1st to second, it might possibly be the VSS in the rear axle. I had the same problem with mine and my Ford Mech friend had me change that.

If that doesnt fix it, and there is a small possibility that it wont, then your tranny needs replacing.....did that also....

The VSS is very inexpensive to change out so I would try that first.

Does the tranny have problems when you are at speed and hit the gas?

Sounds like your clutch might be worn out. how many miles on this clutch?

Its an Automatic Trans.

I caught that after I posted. Just ignore what I wrote

Just an idea, but since it is a few years old, maybe a dirty transmission filter could be the problem?

Might not be a bad idea to get the filter changed and the fluid flushed.