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On the early Busses they added gear reduction boxes at each rear wheel hub, on stronger swing axles and suspension, and they flopped the diff ring gear to reverse the output direction so as to not have 4 speeds in reverse. IIRC Engines and I think even transmission ratios were the same as in the Bug. We know the early Busses are quite slow but they really got the job done in a world that didn't think it needed to careen around everywhere at 75 mph. The trade-off is going to be speed and fuel efficiency.
I wouldn't add reduction boxes at each front wheel; I'd gear it down in the trans if possible first.
I think a live axle is nice for the heavy loads but not a necessity.
Thinking about typical pickup usage patterns... outside of the trades (real work) pickups are 98% commuter vehicles and 2% work. I wonder if a Prius could be made to pull a trailer as big and capable as you'd like, even if it meant going 5th wheel?
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