86BroncoII4x4w/5sp.can't shift into1st&2ndgear.Do I need a new trans? or canit just be fixed? What'sbest optn?

Most likely you will want to replace the clutch why the transmission is out anyways--that could be the very cause why he could not get it into first gear--then later damaged the syncs from first to second. I'm guessing it shifts into reverse--if it does, then it is not a linkage problem--- my 89 Bronco was a top-loader transmission, so I guess yours is to--so there is no linkage to adjust. Your right on the boarder line of 20 years old--- so a lot of junk yards are getting ready to scrap any transmission for that year. Call a few junk yards--get their price and how long they will stand behind the transmission (30/90 days in most cases) figure out the cost of a clutch embly with a flywheel resurface ($35-50) in most cases. and how much your time is worth ( I go by $25 per hour) and would figure between calling, running around for parts, and installing --about 8 hours (4 hours running around, 4 hours work) Then determine if it's worth it to you still.