You are correct sir, yotas are not huge nasty trucks.  That is why guys that like big nasty trucks for extreme stuff swap v8s into yotas.  This thread starter doesn't seem like a big truck guy, that's the only reason I keep suggesting the four cylinder.  If you just want to safely get to the mountain and back in the snow with good 4x4 and clearance either one is good.
Don't even compare a tacoma to a ranger, and everything I've seen as far as power, shows the new yota 4's at 150 hp and ford's 4 cyl at 135 but rangers are small and quick.  Yotas are heavy because they're made of quality products and parts which is why they are tanks.
We also have yet to hear from anyone in this thread with a newer 4 cyl yota about their power, personally I'm kinda interested myself cause I almost bought one.