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I had a problem similar to what you are describing. The leather boot around the bottom of the shifter was getting in the way. Before I attempt to put my shifter in low gear, I tug and pull up on the leather behind the shifter. After that I am able to pull the lever all the way back to 1st.
I thought the same thing about mine. But I found out it was the shift boot getting in the way. That is a simple and easy thing to check. If that doesn't work. Then it is more then likely a linkage adjustment.