No GM truck had a factory side-mount spare before '53.
3/4-ton and 1-ton trucks had 8-lug axles.
4-speed transmissions were optional on 1/2-ton models, but the three-on-the-tree configuration was much more common. I think 3/4-ton trucks were available with a three-on-the-tree, but the floor-shift SM420 was standard.
