Steep is not really the issue, it's uneven and/or slippery terrain that's the challenge - you can drive up a smooth steep road because the weight transfers back onto the rear tires - although having the low range gears that the 4WD also comes with, does help with steep inclines. Where 4WD helps is when one of the drive wheels has no traction, which would normally stop the vehicle from moving, as long as the wheels at the other end have traction, you will continue to move.
As for converting your 2WD to 4WD, the best way is to sell what you have and buy what you want - unless you have access to a complete cheap 4WD donor vehicle to rob the parts from, it will be less expensive and less frustrating.