Ok. Well, 24 hours of driving was better than none I guess. Son took the Bronco out for lunch this afternoon and started having some troubles right before he got back to the house and then when he was in front of the house trying to back the Bronco into the driveway, it won't go. The rear wheels are completely locked up. Even with the rear end off the ground and the car in neutral the wheels will not spin. I don't smell brakes, but does anyone have any other ideas how I can get this thing out of the middle of the road and into my driveway?

disconnect the drive shaft?
or, I did have an issue like that once where I had to bleed off the brakes to get them to release.

I was going to but I have not because I figured if I had the rear wheels in neutral and the automatic transmission in neutral, the rear wheels should have spun, yes?

Drove fine every other time and that is what is so confusing.

you would think so. (edited my orig response.)

Ok, headed outside to try and bleed the brakes.

Ok. Took the rear wheels off and the drums fall right off -- they are no locked up.

So the rear drive shaft is coming off so that I can get it out of the street.

cool, when you get it back in the driveway check your linkages for the t-case and tranny. It may be a simple problem. (hopefully)

Ok, in the driveway. So the twin stick is working to get the fronts engaged or not engaged but for some reason the rear is not working.

This is where Phil chimes in!

My sentiments exactly! :-) Phil -- your wisdom is needed!

So the rear shifter won't move at all? I'd try to rotate the rear output shaft and at the same time try to get the rear shift rod to move (either with the shifter itself or a pry bar down at the xfer case), I would leave the front in neutral during this, make sure your parking brake works and maybe block the wheels. Any chance he bumped something and tried to cross shift the xfer case, i.e. rear was in High and tried to push the from into Low?

Oh no -- my bad. The twin sticks move independently -- I cut the tabs off. I can get the left stick to all three positions and the right stick to all three positions, no problem. With the rear wheels in neutral (right stick in neutral) I can drive / move the vehicle. As soon as I engage the rear wheels, everything locks up. It seems like the drive shaft is trying to turn the rear wheels, but I get more torque on the driveshaft -- I assume because of the slightly higher than stock angle -- and I get wheel wrap -- as the output shaft on the axle rotates up towards 12 o'clock.

Sounds like it time to pop the xfer case cover and see what falls out besides gear oil.

With the transfer case in neutral and the rear driveshaft off See if you can turn the Rear yoke by hand.

I think it's more likely to be a problem with the rear differential then the transfer case.

Well, mystery solved all. I have an awesome looking rebuilt D20 transfer case that now needs to be rebuilt. That's what happens when you are going on the third year of a rebuild and you finally get to drive the Bronco around and forget that you didn't put fluid in the case. Ugh. I am an idiot.

That sucks, sorry man

Ouch, that sucks!

Oh duuuuuuuhuuuuuude, (extra syllable on the huuuuuuude). Sorry man.

That sucks. Nice to know I'm not the only guy that does stuff like that.

BUMMER!

At least D20's are a dime a dozen, or thereabouts! But it is bad to pull the cover and NOTHING comes out. At least you got it figured out!

been their and doen that!!! try putting a detroit in a 9" then not haveing the money to wrap up the other details you wanted, waiting a few months to finish said other items.... No gear oil in rear diff= do over!
I Feel your pain!!!