Safari Snorkel vs Stainless Steel: Which Is Best for Your 70 Series? (2026)
A snorkel is one of the first upgrades most 70 Series owners fit, and for good reason: it raises the air intake up out of dust and water, which matters whether you're crossing the Simpson or just commuting behind trucks. The two options people weigh up are the classic Safari polyethylene snorkel and a stainless steel snorkel. Both work, so this comes down to what you value. You can see the options that fit your truck in our 70 Series snorkel range if you'd rather just start browsing. Below we break down the differences and which suits your build.
1. Why Fit a Snorkel to a 70 Series?
The job of a snorkel is simple: move the engine's air intake from behind the headlight up to roof height. On a 70 Series that means cleaner air (less dust reaching the air filter on outback tracks), cooler air (drawn from above the engine bay), and far better protection during water crossings. It is not a guarantee you can ford deep rivers, but it dramatically lowers the risk of drawing water into the engine. Whether you tour remote country or just want to protect a hard-working daily driver, a quality snorkel is cheap insurance. The only real question is what it should be made of.
2. The Safari Snorkel: Australian-Made Polyethylene
Safari is one of Australia's most established snorkel brands and is now part of ARB. Its 70 Series snorkels use a UV-stable polyethylene body, and ARB states they are designed and manufactured in Australia. The substantial wall thickness gives real physical strength, the polyethylene flexes rather than shatters in a knock, and unlike metal it won't corrode.
Safari offers two main lines for the 70 Series. The Armax is the performance option: ARB says it uses a 4-inch air ram and wider body and is flow-bench tested to deliver 25% to 70% more air than the vehicle's standard air cleaner housing, which makes it the pick if you're running engine upgrades. The V-Spec is Safari's traditional range, a proven factory-style replacement that covers the older narrow-front 1HZ trucks through to current models. Both are designed specifically for the 70 Series body, and Safari's air-ram head is engineered to act as a water separator, pulling moisture out of the incoming air stream.
3. The Stainless Steel Snorkel: Metal Strength
Stainless steel snorkels are the alternative for owners who want the toughest possible pipe and a distinctive polished or brushed-metal look. Stainless resists corrosion, shrugs off scrapes and branch strikes, and has a premium, custom feel that a lot of builders love. It is a popular choice on show-focused builds and on rigs that see heavy scrub where a metal pipe's dent-over-crack behaviour is reassuring.
The trade-offs are worth knowing. Stainless snorkels usually cost more, weigh more up high on the guard, and can generate more induction noise (some owners like the sound, some don't). Fit is often less model-specific than a moulded Safari, and not every stainless design includes the same built-in rain drainage, so water management varies by brand. Quality and sealing depend heavily on who makes it.
4. Safari vs Stainless Steel: Side by Side
Here's the quick head-to-head for a 70 Series. Neither is "wrong," it's about what matters most to you.
| Safari (Polyethylene) | Stainless Steel | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | UV-stable polyethylene | Stainless steel |
| Origin | Australian designed & made (per Safari/ARB) | Varies by brand |
| Impact behaviour | Flexes and absorbs hits; can crack under extreme impact | Takes big knocks; may dent rather than crack |
| Weight | Lighter | Heavier up high on the guard |
| Water management | Air-ram head separates water from the airstream | Varies; some lack a dedicated rain drain |
| Noise | Generally quieter | More induction sound |
| Fitment | Model-specific moulded fit | Often less model-specific |
| Look | Factory-style satin black | Premium polished/brushed metal |
| Price | Typically more affordable | Usually a premium |
| Best for | Touring and daily-driven 70 Series | Heavy scrub and show-focused builds |
5. Durability and Impact
This is where the two materials genuinely differ. Polyethylene has excellent impact resistance and tends to flex and absorb a knock rather than fail, and a quality poly snorkel can last decades in the sun thanks to UV stabilisers. Its weak point is an extreme, sharp impact, which can crack it, and a crack is hard to repair. Stainless steel takes a very hard hit before it fails and won't crack, but a big enough strike can leave a dent. In practice both are tough enough for serious touring; stainless just has the edge in the roughest scrub, while poly is more forgiving of the everyday scrapes and won't corrode over the years.
6. Water Management and Sealing
For a 70 Series that sees water crossings, sealing matters as much as the pipe itself. Safari's air-ram head is designed to separate water from the incoming air stream before it reaches the filter, and the model-specific fit helps the joins seal cleanly against the guard. Stainless snorkels vary here: some are excellent, but not all include a dedicated rain drain, and a less model-specific fit can mean more attention is needed at the seals. Whichever you choose, the airbox and bung sealing on the 70 Series is what actually keeps water out, so a tidy install matters more than the material.
7. Airflow, Noise and Looks
Both types deliver plenty of airflow for a 70 Series; the Safari Armax in particular uses a 4-inch air ram that ARB says is flow-bench tested to deliver 25% to 70% more air than the standard air cleaner housing. On noise, poly snorkels are generally quieter, while stainless produces more of that induction "whoosh" under load, which some owners actively enjoy and others find tiring on a long highway stint. Looks are pure personal taste: the Safari's satin-black finish blends in as a factory-style upgrade, while a polished or brushed stainless pipe is a statement piece that stands out against the guard. If the build is about presentation, stainless has obvious appeal; if it's about a clean, understated tourer, the Safari looks right at home.
8. Fitment on the 70 Series
The 70 Series has changed a lot over its life, so fitment is the thing to get right regardless of material. It comes down to your body style and engine: the older narrow-front 1HZ trucks, the wide-front models, the VDJ 4.5L V8, and the new 2.8L from the 2024 facelift all have their own requirements. Safari covers these with model-specific snorkels (including Armax and V-Spec options), while stainless fit varies by manufacturer. If you're running a 79 Series ute specifically, you can browse the options that suit it in our 79 Series snorkel range. Always confirm your build date and engine before ordering, and if you're unsure, that's exactly what we're here to help match.
9. Which Snorkel Should You Choose?
For the majority of 70 Series owners who tour and daily-drive their truck, the Safari is the easy recommendation: it's purpose-fit, well-sealed, quiet, made in Australia and long-established, with the Armax for those who want the higher-flow air ram and the V-Spec for a straightforward factory-style fit. It's the safe default that suits almost every build.
Stainless steel earns its place when outright impact resistance and a standout metal look are the priority, and the higher cost, extra weight and added noise are acceptable trade-offs. It's a great match for heavy-scrub tourers and presentation-focused builds where the snorkel is part of the aesthetic.
And if you're on the fence? Most people land on the Safari for a touring 70 Series and reach for stainless when the look or the toughest possible pipe is the main goal. There's no wrong answer, so choose the one that fits how you use and want your truck to look.
10. The Verdict
Both a Safari polyethylene snorkel and a stainless steel snorkel will get cooler, cleaner, higher air to your 70 Series, so you can't really go wrong. The Safari is the proven, purpose-fit, Australian-made all-rounder that suits most tourers and daily drivers; stainless steel is the tougher, premium-look specialist for heavy scrub and show builds that don't mind paying more. Match the snorkel to how you use your truck, get the fitment right for your engine and build date, and either way you'll be protecting your motor where it counts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Safari snorkel better than stainless steel?
Neither is better outright. A Safari polyethylene snorkel is purpose-fit, well-sealed, quieter, lighter, Australian-made and more affordable, which suits most touring and daily-driven 70 Series. Stainless steel is tougher against hard impacts and has a premium metal look, but usually costs more, weighs more and can be louder. Choose based on how you use and want your truck to look.
What is a Safari snorkel made of?
Safari 70 Series snorkels use a UV-stable polyethylene body. ARB (Safari's parent) states they are designed and manufactured in Australia. The substantial wall thickness gives strong impact resistance and, unlike metal, the material won't corrode.
What's the difference between Safari Armax and V-Spec?
The Armax is Safari's performance line: ARB says it uses a 4-inch air ram and wider body, flow-bench tested to deliver 25% to 70% more air than the standard air cleaner housing. The V-Spec is Safari's traditional range, a proven factory-style replacement. Both are model-specific for the 70 Series; the Armax is the pick if you want the higher-flow option, especially with engine upgrades.
Do stainless steel snorkels flow more air?
Not necessarily. Airflow depends on the design and air ram, not just the material. ARB says the Safari Armax is flow-bench tested to deliver 25% to 70% more air than the standard air cleaner housing. Stainless snorkels flow plenty of air too, but they tend to produce more induction noise than a poly snorkel.
Which snorkel fits my 70 Series?
It depends on your body style and engine: narrow-front 1HZ, wide-front, the VDJ 4.5L V8, or the 2.8L from the 2024 facelift. Safari offers model-specific snorkels across these; stainless fit varies by brand. Always confirm your build date and engine before ordering.
Will a snorkel let me cross deep water?
A snorkel raises the air intake and greatly reduces the risk of drawing water into the engine, but it does not make a vehicle fully waterproof. Diffs, gearbox breathers, electrical sealing and driving technique all matter. Treat a snorkel as important protection, not a licence to ford any depth.
