Confused about 4x2 offroad model

I'd have to imagine that my prerunner with proper tires on it and done weight in the back would handle at least as well as the 74 Maverick I drove in high school in western Montana, or my buddy's 67 mustang 289 for that matter. I've done winter road trips with multiple crossings of the continental divide in a 5 lug before; lots of people drive RWD on snow for several months every year, but then they tend to know what they're doing on snow (or they learn eventually).

I wouldn't wheel it on unmaintained trails in the snow, but wouldn't back down from fire roads if I needed to go there, although I'd be a bit scared to share those roads with too many warm weather 4x4 owners (too many off then think that 4wd magically improves all aspects of handling, including steering and stopping, and tend to end up in ditches far too often).

Winter driving is about knowing how to recover control (and knowing when you can't), and avoiding doing things which can lead to losing control in avoidable ways plus understanding what the unavoidable things are and learning how to recognize when you've hit one. Also keeping your speed reasonable in case you do hit something unavoidable.

Wouldn't call myself a 2WD "fanboy", just experienced enough to know that a little knowledge and skill can get you at least as far as a t-case and front diff in many situations.