my manual tranny can't shift over to 3rd and OD. if the problem were a simple fork issue, could a fork be replaced by only removing the side plate? i don't know what is wrong with the tranny, but i was told by a mechanic to check the shifter forks first. i don't want to remove the tranny, but i am ready to do so if i'm not lucky. any input?

Yes, when you remove the side cover, you'll see both forks attached.

Here's a picture

http://skylab.org/~zetan/van/np833/tn/2.JPG.html

thanks! that is a very useful pic.

i took the side cover off this weekend and drained the tranny.
managed to pull three two inches or so long pieces of one of the forks with a magnet. haven't ordered a new one yet, but finding the problem that easily sure makes things look better!