2010 Tacoma drive train issue NEED HELP

I have a 2010 4x4 Tacoma DBL cab 4.0 automatic tranny. Since I returned home a month ago from Afghanistan I have been having an issue with the drive train. I don't know if its the tranny, transfer case, rear diff or the brakes. I had the tranny fluid changed 2 weeks ago by Toyota thinking that would fix the issue.

Here is how my issue starts out.
I get in the truck start it up, go from park to drive and it feels like the E- brake is engaged. I switch to reverse and ease back then go to Drive and the truck usually moves under idle without me touching the pedal. Sometimes (like today) it doesn't matter if I go to reverse or drive it still feels like to E brake is on. I even disconnected my transfer case to see if that my be the issue bjt that did not help either.
I have roughly 100,000 miles on the truck ad have never had the drums taken off and maintained. Could that be the issue because they are dirty? Or could it be something more severe such as the rear diff is busted?

Any help diagnosing, advice, opinions would be greatly appreciated. I am in need of the knowledge some of you Yota guys have.

Thank you

 

Sounds like a stuck caliper or brake drums......remove the wheels and see if the hubs spin free

 

I would try getting all 4 wheels off the ground and see what you can spin by hand with the truck off and in neutral. If you have a busted diff you will have a hard time moving it by hand and should hear it also.

 

Thank you, I will try that now

 

The fronts are good, its seizing in the rear, basically if I give it acceleration the tires spin and dig into the ground. Almost as if my front wheels have chock block in front or my e brake is on.

 

If the truck was packed for a while brake may have rusted check them all out, pada like ticking to rusted rotors or drums.

 

So the front tires spin and dig into the ground? (Which would mean you're in 4 wheel drive.) I'm a little confused by your description.

Assuming the front brakes are not locking up and the rear brakes are, your next task is to find out what's causing the rear brakes to lock up. Have you used the parking brake lately? If you don't use it regularly, then use it after a long period of time, the cable(s) can seize up and cause it to lock in the engaged position. If the cables are the issue, sometimes you can free on up by grabbing it and vigorously moving it back and forth. If you have a frozen brake slave cylinder (inside the drum), things get more interesting and you may need professional help.

If you've never taken your brakes apart or worked on them, take it to somebody who knows what they're doing. Your problems will be solved much faster.

 

The rear wheels dig into the ground when I put it into drive and give it throttle. Almost as if my front wheels have a chock block set in front of them, figuratively speaking. Seeing as I have almost 100k miles and have never done a rear brake job i will be doing one this weekend.

 

Got all 4 wheels off the deck and all wheels spin freely whether in neutral by rotating by hand or under its own power in drive or reverse.

 

The rear wheels are seized but they spin and dig into the ground??????

 

No, the rear wheels are NOT seized. When I leave my truck parked say overnight or a few hours and go to start it and put it into drive or reverse the rear wheels act as if they are meeting some sort of resistance as if my E brake or something is still engaged. I use my E brake any time I put my truck in park and have done so since I bought the truck new in 2009. After having lifted all 4 wheels off the ground today i had no issues with the rear wheels. It seems to only do it when the truck is first started in the morning or after having sat for a few hours. Im just dumbfounded right now as to what is causing it and still cannot determine the cause of the problem.

 

If the rear wheels dig then it sounds like a front brake issue.

 

Take the drums off and see if the axle seals are leaking. If the shoes get soaked they can behave "sticky" like this

 

Starting to sound more like a transmission issue since all four wheels spin freely.

 

Try this: On an open, empty road drive forward at a good clip, hit the brakes. Back up at a good clip and do the same. Rinse, repeat. I'm thinking something got rusty, or gummed up, from non use. Won't cost you a thing to try.

 

or it could be the rear brakes piston cylinder is seizing in the open position since I have never done touched the rear drums and I have taken my truck through mud and lots of water the last 9 years

 

Get some brake cleaner, a wire brush and pull your rear drums, clean them out and see if it makes a difference

 

Excellent recommendation.

 

I am doing a full blown rear drum check and replace of any parts that need it