early cherokee questions

I've been working on Jeepster commandos for many years now and have decided do advance to a 1974 Cherokee. How about answers to a few bonehead questions from you more enlighened and experienced "full-size" folks:
1. Running gear....is the 360 V8 , AT , and stock running gear in the '74 basically sound or something that everone else has allready upgraded?
2. Is the stock power train (in good shape with 101,000 miles) beefy enough to flat tow my jeepster commando? Is quadra-trak a good thing?
3. Are body, runnign gear, and interior parts generally the same as the wagoneer? Thanks.

[Tim]

The 360 AMC is a good motor, only weakness is oil pump gears are in the timing cover and wears with high mileage causing the oil pressure to drop. TH-400 tranny is bullet-proof. Q-trac is a good xfer, just need to replace the chain every 60-70,000 miles and keep the special oil in the case. It can be converted to part-time with Mile Marker kit and then use ATF instead of Q-trac oil. I'd not get the kit with 16% overdrive as it raises your gearing, (lowers numerically), and will not be beneficial for towing the Jeepster. The kit w/o o.d. doesn't come with a chain, so if you need one, it's extra. Dana 44's front and rear are great. I can't remember if '74 had electronic ignition. If not, you might want to update. Great rig. Most mechanical stuff interchanges with the Waggie.

Tim Bothwell
'66 Jeepster Commando
'70 Wagoneer
'76 Wagoneer-sold