2WD vehicles are usually 1 wheel drive, they often have an OPEN differential this means the EASIEST wheel to turn gets ALL the power from the engine.
This is why if 1 wheel starts to spin on ice or mud you get stuck, because that wheel is now getting ALL the power, other wheel gets 0 power.
There are Limited Slip differentials, Ford calls theirs Trac Lok, Chevy calls it Positraction
Limited slip means if one wheel starts to slip(spin faster than the other wheel) then more power is transferred to the OTHER wheel, the one that has traction.
Most 4x4 Rangers came with Limited Slip, not all, and some 2WD did as well as a pay extra Option.
Look here to see what you have now:
https://therangerstation.com/tech_library/axle_codes.shtml
2WD pickup trucks have no weight on the Drive wheels, so lose traction easily
This is why Front wheel drive cars do well in snow or slippery conditions because weight of the engine is over the drive wheels, its also easier to PULL a weight than to PUSH a weight, so another advantage and a main benefit of 4WD because you now have drive wheels PULLING you
Off-roading is not always about 4WD, most of it is ground clearance, so you do need as much as practical.
Good tires with wider gaps in treads for better grip of loose material
Put all your gear as far back in the bed as possible, so most of that weight is on the rear axle
Tire chains are easy to carry
A portable winch is practical to have with 2WD or 4WD, or a good come-along, with extra straps/cables
Sand ladders don't take up much room, if you think you will need them
A jack you can use to lift a wheel to put something under it for better traction when stuck
Portable air compressor is good to have, you get better traction with lower tire pressure, any tire has a larger footprint with lower air pressure so more friction which is traction
Not a good idea on the highway but if off-road then lower pressure down to 15-20psi, if on the sand down to 10psi, then pump them back up when you are going on-road
Watch sharp turns with lower tire pressure, because you can break the bead seal on the rim so end up with a flat tire