1974 CJ5 locked up, won't move!!

Hi Guys, My first post on here,
I installed all new drum brakes on my 1974, 304 CJ5, I installed new drums, shoes and hardware, when I put the jeep on the ground it is totally locked up, it won't budge in neutral or any gear. I had no issues before the brake job and did not touch anything else.
I have done the following,
1. reinstalled old drums and rechecked correct installation of brake shoes and hardware. also jacked each wheel and can spin the wheel.
2. E brake cables have plenty of play and I can yank on them and hear the shoes hit the drum, so not binding. Never worked that great anyway.
3. removed t-case pan from underneath and can shift into all the gears (4H, 2H, Neutral and 4L). Not stuck in neutral. Can turn rear driveshaft by hand when in neutral and rear wheels turn in opposite directions.
4. Jacked the front and wheels turn as well as driveshaft. Hubs not locked.
5. Disconnected rear driveshaft and rear wheels turn
6. Jacked rear started jeep, put into first gear, released clutch slowly and the rear wheels turn on their own.
I am out of ideas, can anyone help?? I had no issues before the brake job!!!

 

I can turn the wheels by hand not locked in the air, I did not replace brake lines, I have noticed that my brake pedal goes to floor have to pump it a few times before it firms up, and then it goes back to the floor again, of coarse can't test or bed the brakes because I can't move it.
Was thinking of replacing cylinders and bleeding. no leaks that I can see, could this make the jeep lock up completely, I even had it in 4L with hubs locked and it wants to move bu won't.

 

Any suggestions?

Today I disengaged the front and rear drive shafts from the T case thus eliminating the t case or transmission as the problem ( wheels still locked after I do this), leaning towards one of the axles, but what would make the wheels lock even in neutral?

 

So all the wheels will turn when off the ground? Can you push it? Seems like if the wheels turn in the air you ought to be able to push it. That may eliminate an axle problem.

Sent from my LS670

 

Can't push it. That's what has me completely stumped, it is locked in neutral, I can rock it back and forth, and the wheels will maybe move an inch or two either way but that's it.
Everything turns when the wheels are off the ground, Drive shafts, wheels

 

#4 in your original post....does the front driveshaft spin when you turn one of the front wheels even with the hubs unlocked? How hard is it to spin any one of the wheels when in the air?

Are you working in a place where you could try to roll the Jeep with either the front or rear of the Jeep jacked up on a floor jack? This could tell you if it's a problem at the front or the rear.

 

the wheels turn but not the drive shaft when unlocked, when locked the wheels turn with the drive shaft.
The wheels spin very easily, I have completely let in the adjusters.
I am in my driveway so might be able to figure a way to jack front or rear and move it to see which is the problem

 

Any up and down play in either front wheel when jacked up? I'm heading toward wheel bearings here, to maybe eliminate them as a possible cause. Not sure how they would be a cause but............

 

I will have to check that, I have handled the wheels so many times and did not notice any vertical movement will have to see.

 

This statement, quoted above, leads me to think that the only possible answer is a screwed up differential, at least one, maybe both.

If the wheels turn opposite directions when you have the axle jacked up then the spider gears are working, but the pinion/ring is not necessarily moving.

Now, do you have locking hubs on the front? If so, unlock the front, and leave the front driveshaft out. Put the rear driveshaft in. Try to roll the Jeep. If it rolls, your front pinion/ring would be my first target!

If it does not roll... I would aim for the rear pinion/ring.

 

I will give it a try, it will be a few days before I can get back under the jeep.