I parked my 2007 4x4 automatic ranger in the driveway about 10 days ago and when I went to drive it yesterday it would start and drop into gear but wouldn't move. Even in 4L it would rock slightly but not move at at all like a giant was holding on to the rear bumper. Not forward not reverse. A friend watched the wheels while I tried to move it and said there was slight movement in the wheels but I think I could still be the brakes. I am not in a cold sub freezing area but we have had some rain since it was parked. I did reach under the rear and pull on the brake cable an it moved freely. The parking brake set in the car will set and release. I am not at all mechanical so beyond kicking the tires I need some help

 

Welcome to the forum

Rear brakes or e-brakes can't hold in Reverse direction so not the brakes if you can't backup

I assume it won't roll when in Neutral?

Can you pump the brakes and does it feel "normal"?
And is the ABS light OFF?

Was transfer case in 2WD when you parked it?

If possible I would jack up a front wheel or both and see if they can be turned, its an open differential
Then do the same with rear but both wheels and block front wheel so it won't roll away, just in case

 

So the brakes do feel normal. And it doesn't roll in neutral. The ABS light is not on. It was in 2WD when it was parked. 4WD has not been used for quite a while. I will try jacking up and rotating wheels. What will it tell me if one or more will or won't rotate?

 

On the front it will tell you if brake is locked

When rear is off the ground, BLOCK a front wheel, then shift trans in to neutral should be able to spin either back wheel

If not the rear differential or transfer case is locked up

I think the Park Pawl is releasing since you said it did rock in gear

 

Great. I have a friend bringing over a Jack tomorrow. We will run it through the tests. I will report back what I find. Thanks so much for your help.

 

Reads like slaves(wheel cylinders) are bad, stuck open pushing shoes against drums
Open the Bleeder valve on one wheel and see if there is pressure inside, there shouldn't be, if fluid Squirts out, then there maybe a problem with the flex-line on top of axle housing or the ABS or the Master

There is a rubber plug on the backing plate at the bottom, pull it out
This gives you access to the Star Wheel that allows you to tighten or loosen the shoes inside, so you can get the drums off

Drawing here: https://i.stack.imgur.com/EDVMB.gif

You need to push back the adjusting lever to free up the Star Wheel, and then turn the Star Wheel so the shoes are pulled in at the bottom, and drums will come off