The $1000 or so 4X4 costs is cheap insurance. If I get forced off the road into the mud (everything that's not paved down here is mud) one time and get out on my own, instead of walking or waiting for a couple of hours, and I'll feel like its paid for.

It floods down here quite a bit too, and sometimes its hard to find the paved spots when they are under water (see previous note about mud everywhere its not paved).

In the long run, when you sell the truck, you'll probably get your $1k back.