I feel like all wheels/axles of a vehicle should be powered for traction sake. If you aren’t completely sold on 4wd, at least have recovery gear and consider a winch, and look into a rear locker.
When I was a landscaper, I spent probably 1/4 of my time on the job site pulling out our RWD, open diff NPR and UD cabovers, from areas that when loaded were easily navigated, but once empty all they’d do is spin one half of the rear. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve been stuck in wet grass in a 2wd truck, loaded or not. I’ve also been places in a stock, open diff Volvo sedan that some Jeeps struggled to get to - weight and balance, traction, and suspension/chassis flex all work with driver skill/knowledge to make that stuff happen. Everyone will have an anecdote for or against it, and they’re all only conditionally correct, mine included.
My NPR will be 4wd soon. I don’t trust LSDs (limited slip = no guarantee both axles are ever locked together, I have been stranded by them before), and no positive locking diffs are available for the rear axle I have currently in the truck. I like the idea of having the front axle “pulling” when traction is limited in the rear, to me that is a suitable replacement when a positive lock rear isn’t available. Especially in something nose-heavy like a cabover (when unladen at least).
It’s a lot like having a tool for every job - you may be able to manage with the tools you have that are used frequently (how you equip your truck), and may have the option of borrowing a tool for the occasional need (recovery help from a friend/stranger on the trail), but I personally would rather have that tool I’ve used once over years (in this case, a driven front axle) in my toolbox for the day I may need to use it again.
