Best 4x4 Winch in Australia? Why the PDX MK4 Beats Generic Kits on Every Front
Intro: When you’re deep in the bush or tackling a rutted fire trail, your winch isn’t just recovery gear—it’s your insurance policy. But not all winches are made equal. If you’ve ever melted a solenoid, snapped a rope, or cursed while installing a poorly designed unit, you’ll appreciate what makes a real winch stand out. Enter the Ultra Winch PDX MK4: the result of years of field failure analysis and engineering-driven refinement.
Built from Frustration. Refined by Experience. In 2017, we tore apart the "premium" winches and saw through the marketing. Cheap 15mm² wiring that couldn't handle real-world current draw. Weak clutches. Open relays. So we built our own.
The first PDX winch launched in 2019 and changed the game with an all-alloy body and a smarter install system. Now, the PDX MK4 takes everything to the next level—built for real Australian conditions, not brochure numbers.
Why the PDX MK4 Is in a Class of Its Own:
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Mechanical Brake = Real Control Forget friction brakes that overheat or slip under load. The PDX MK4 uses a true mechanical brake, giving you zero slippage and full control during descents and static holds. It's ultra reliable, especially on long, technical recoveries. So strong, you may have seen our Crane stunts where we have lifted a Maverick and Hilux vertically up 20 meters into the air and it held without slipping! This is more of a feat for the brake mechanism than the motor, any winch with a genuine 9500lbs rating should be able to lift a 4000/5000lbs 4wd in free air. Performed in a controlled environment, do not replicate.
2. 50mm² Wiring That Doesn't Starve The Motor. Most winches use undersized wiring that chokes performance and generates dangerous heat. The MK4 is equipped with ultra heavy-duty 50mm² wiring with over 8x less resistance than typical kits. It’s designed to handle hundreds of amps without flinching, meaning faster pulls and lower stress on your battery. There is a slight increase in overall installed mass, but it's well worth it to ensure your winch won't bog down.
3. Three-Way Control—No Dongles Required The MK4 includes:
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A wireless remote with a built-in receiver (always active)
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A 3.5m wired hand controller
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A universal in-cabin switch with Y-splitter support
Unlike most systems, all three are plug-and-play with recessed, sealed sockets for water and mud resistance. All three can be utilised, in most cased you're using the in cabin control when winching in, and the wireless when winching out to walk the rope out (you may use free spool too, but the motor temperature stays low from winching out).
4. Easier, Faster Install
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Pre-fitted mounting nuts stay in place when lifting the winch—no more fishing hardware inside the bar.
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Extended heavy-duty cables allow hidden control box installs (behind grilles, inside bars).
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Updated bracket means fewer bolts to mount externally.
5. Clutch That Rotates with Four Bolts Need to rotate the clutch housing for a feet-forward install? Done in 90º increments with four accessible hex bolts. No teardown needed. No internal realignment.
6. Real Specs, Not Marketing Gimmicks Every spec we publish is based on full-rope, real-world conditions—not stripped-down lab tricks. The same genuine 6.5HP motor powers both the 9500lb and 12000lb models. The only difference is gearing: speed vs torque. Both are powered by the same sealed, electroplated planetary gear system and heavy-duty solenoid.
7. Built to Keep Pulling, Not Just Perform on Paper We don't believe in inflated performance figures from high-strain motors. The MK4 is engineered for real recoveries: sustained power, longer pulls, and no thermal cutouts. It draws what it needs, stays cool, and finishes the job.
8. Pressure-Free Power: Breather Valve Kit Included Most winches suffer seal failure due to rapid cooling after heat build-up. The MK4 includes a pressure-regulated breather hose kit to prevent vacuum-induced water ingress.
9. Stunning Form Meets Rugged Function
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Blacked-out wiring, fairlead, and winch body
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HD hook with strap, fairlead, control box, remotes, and badges all included
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Hook strap, breather hose, and lanyards updated for field reliability
10. Universal Control Box Compatibility Already have an older winch with F1/F2/A motor wiring? The PDX MK4 control box is available separately and retrofits to most standard 12V winches using that layout. It’s a smarter upgrade with plug-and-play flexibility.
Conclusion: When you need your winch to perform, there are no second chances. The PDX MK4 isn’t a rebranded import or marketing exercise—it’s an engineered, tested, field-proven solution for serious 4WDers.
Backed by a 7-year electrical and water ingress warranty and lifetime mechanical warranty, it’s built to work when you need it most.
