Difficulty engaging first gear.

I replaced my clutch disc and pressure but same problem with my first gear. Now, I have to leave with it.

before selecting 1st or reverse put it into 2nd gear. This slows down the spinning gears and makes it easier to get 1 st.

Hi All,

Bumping this thread.  I have a JB43 manual and have trouble engaging first gear at the start of the morning.
I normally put it on other gears first to make it go to first.
When the engine/transmission warms up, I can shift to it without problems. 
Do you reckon changing to the gear oil would solve this? 

PS: i know that Jimny's manual transmission itself is finicky at best.  I checked the shifter bushings and are all in order.

Years ago I once used a gl4/5 combination oil in my manual and it made changes between gears difficult. Swapping to the preferred gl4 solved it. However I only had problems once it was up to temperature. Gear oil is cheap so as a first things first it makes sense to swap it.

Thanks mate.  My issue is the complete opposite of yours.  Will look into changing the oil first. 

l wouldn't normally engage first gear while a vehicle is moving.
My Defender has never liked first gear when it's not stationary.

Redline MT90 
New rear engine mount
New bobbins on gear box selector plate
All of the above helped mine
Also do not try to engage 1st when moving
 
These are poly Austin mini exhaust bobbins 
You can use rubber version rubber lasted for around 3 years