I got my jeep back in 2007. Over time the e-break slowly got worse and worse as far as holding the vehicle goes, and I had to pull it up all the way to get it to slightly do anything.

Yesterday, I got stuck in some mud/ice/water, and winched out with no problem....Today i noticed that the E-brake is much stiffer, and i can barley pull it up 2 inches befor its holding the car strong. Any idea what caused this sudden change?

 

There are little adjusters on the E brake pads. I don't know if it's possible or not, but maybe they got spun by whatever crap you where stuck in. Or maybe the little spreader got dislodged. Either way, I'd jack up the rear wheels and see if they spin freely.

If not, take the rotors off and see whats going on in there. Remember, the E brake is inside the rotor. Sorta like a tiny drum brake.

 

Probably there is debris filling the space between the shoes and the drums.
You should disassemble them and clean them out.

 

I never knew that the e-brake was a tiny drum in the rotor. Always learning something on this site.

 

It's essentially an old school drum brake in miniature.

 

Mybe some dirt or Debris got stuck not allowing the brake to apply to hold the vehical....