Having the rubber dry up is the norm AJ-MJ. Even some of the best "stored" vintage vehicles will fall prey to that. No gas in the tank might mean it was drained and possibly the carb was run dry. If so, you never know, it may just surprise you and start right up. As gm said, yes it had a battery hold down.
That is a nice looking Jeep! I love the color. The engine stamp serial number can be very lightly struck. If the block has been rebuilt the numbers may have been "milled" off. once you get the radiator out it might be easier to see. gm uses Harbor Freight Nylon Flapper Wheels" with great results. I think they will work well to clean the numbers without destroying them.