'94 Ranger:problems shifting gears

I have a '94 Ranger 5-speed and over the last few weeks, I am having a very difficult time shifting gears. It is almost impossibe for me to get the vehicle into 1st gear altogether unless the vehicle is off and that is where I start from. Once I start the vehicle, the moment I let ANY pressure off the clutch, the truck starts moving fairly rapidly. I have to press the clutch all the way to the floor to shift. Going from 1st to 2nd is very difficult, 2nd to 3rd a little easier, and 3rd to 4th or 5th is not too bad, but all gears seem a little rougher than normal. Now, the other part is that say when I approach a stop sign or light, I'm afraid to put it in neutral for fear of not being able to get back into gear. I have actually had to turn the truck off to get it back into a gear, then restart the vehicle. The other thing is, if I am sitting at a red light and I leave it in gear, it idles rough and has even died on me a few times. However, if I do put it in neutral, it idles fine. But, of course I won't put it in neutral because I can't get it back into gear!

Bottom line question is...does this sound like the clutch needs adjustment or replacement? Also, I have noticed that since this all started, it is harder to start the vehicle and that my battery gauge is moving around a lot, especially when I am driving and attempting to switch gears. Would a bad battery or alternator cause difficulty with the clutch or are these two totally separate issues?
Thank you

sounds like your slave cylinder is gone,it is inside where the clutch is so you usually replace both.i had the same vehicle and once i put them in i still had a problem getting it bled.it turned out that the hydraulic line from the master clutch cylinder was bad too.the slave cylinder is not letting you disengage the clutch.alternator and battery have nothing to do with it.

Hi, Your ranger has a unique, bleeding procedure for the clutch hydraulic system, You need to get the FORD TSB that pertains to the proper procedures, Good Luck, Clay.

thanks clay,i actually accomplished it awhile ago.once i changed the line it was not a problem.i was just responding to the other fellow who was having trouble shifting his ranger. since i am new to this forum i am not sure i am responding in the proper way.when it says quote,the original thread comes up and i delete and respond in that box.thanks again.