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Having the right approach and departure angle can either make or break a 4×4 vehicle’s ability to perform well in tough terrain. Be sure to note the emphasis we placed on the “break” portion of that last sentence because that’s precisely why we are discussing Flowmaster’s line of Outlaw Extreme and Flowmaster FlowFX Extreme clearance exhaust systems today.
While a full-blown lift kit, upsized off-road rubber, and a slimmer steel bumper will definitely make a difference up front, the ass-end of the equation provides a very different set of challenges, with exhaust systems being one of the biggest concerns. Even if an obstacle does not sheer off a muffler, there is the risk of crimped exhaust pipes, snapped mandrel bends, disconnected flanges, unhinged hangers, and the ever-present threat of punctures.
In order to keep your 4×4 rig’s exhaust clear of the threats that lie in wait along the trail, Flowmaster has made both its Outlaw Extreme and the FlowFX Extreme Exhaust Systems as clearance oriented as possible, all without sacrificing performance perks.
“We wanted to do more for the hardcore off-road groups,” explains Mark Emerson of Flowmaster Exhaust Systems. “You would see on the forums that a lot of these guys were completely cutting parts off of the factory system to try to resolve this because it’s a common problem. So we thought, why not put together something that addresses this by-design?”
This eventually led to Flowmaster’s debut of the first Outlaw Extreme high clearance 3-inch exhaust way back in 2016. Flowmaster developed a streamlined system focusing exclusively on late model full-size pickups like the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Toyota Tundra. Needless to say, these exhaust systems were a huge hit for the manufacturer, giving just cause for Flowmaster to look into producing similar products for other vehicles.
2018-2021 Jeep Gladiator JT 3.6L – Flowmaster Outlaw Extreme – 817958
The concept followed the same design goals that Flowmaster targeted with their full-size applications. One of the top priorities was to get the exhaust system tucked up underneath the truck as much as possible.
“If we use a 2016-2021 Toyota Tacoma 3.5L as an example,” Emerson explains. “The factory pipe does tuck up a decent amount past the frame into the muffler, but the overall size of the factory muffler does cause it to hang down just before the axle. Because we are able to use smaller performance mufflers, we can tuck them up higher and out of the way more and keep them above the rear leaf springs for better clearance. And it is the same for the other applications that we offer these kits for.”
These ultra-flush exhausts are as straightforward of a swap as possible and mount using the factory exhaust hangers. By utilizing smaller mufflers, these units offer some weight savings perks too. The smaller packaging also allows additional elbow room for aftermarket suspension upgrades.
Packing a 3-inch, 16-gauge mandrel-bent stainless steel tubing structure, both styles provide increased levels of exhaust flow and power. The FlowFX Extreme variant is the quieter of the two. The reason for this is due to the Outlaw Extreme system’s race-derived muffler. Both the Outlaw and FlowFX systems bolt up to the factory catalytic converter and other emissions systems.
