Combining the 4-pin and 4017 methods together - use a BCD-
output counter (eg 74LS393 or 4040) and set the bit pattern on
the o/ps to match the 4-pin PIC idea. That way you're still using
only 2 PIC pins (for Clk & Reset) but do have a bar display. If you
calculate the difference between the current and the next display
you could even not use Reset on the counter and thus use only
one PIC pin.

Jinx