97 Ranger XLT 5-Speed Trans

I was just wondering could I put the Mercon V Transmission Fluid in my Truck,it calls for the regular Mercon? Automatics this year call for Mercon V. Checked it the other day and it was'nt red looking at all.Seems like it is getting harder to shift from 1st to 2nd,in hot or cold.
Truck has 4.0 5-Speed Manual,110,000 miles on now, does'nt look like it has never been changed. Thanks alot,,