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Fairbanks Today
By the People, for the People
Alaskan Builds Dakar-Inspired Toyota GT86 PreRunner
One enthusiast transforms a rear-wheel-drive sports car into a trophy truck-style off-road machine.
Apr. 10, 2026 at 6:38pm
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A custom Toyota GT86 PreRunner, inspired by the towering trophy trucks of the Dakar Rally, blurs into a vibrant display of motion and power.Fairbanks TodayJeremiah Stewart, a resident of Fairbanks, Alaska, has taken a 2018 Toyota GT86 sports car and transformed it into a Dakar Rally-inspired PreRunner with 16 inches of suspension travel in the rear and 13.5 inches up front. Stewart, who is not an engineer by trade, designed the custom suspension geometry and fabricated a new tubular chassis to create this off-road-ready GT86.
Why it matters
The Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ platform has long been a favorite among enthusiasts for its balanced rear-wheel-drive dynamics, and this project shows the lengths some owners will go to in order to push the car's capabilities even further. Stewart's build also highlights the growing trend of home-built, off-road-focused vehicles, as well as the resources available to DIY fabricators through online communities and CAD design tools.
The details
Stewart started by cutting out the front and rear frame rails of the GT86, then removing the rear firewall to make room for the custom 16-inch rear suspension travel. He designed new control arms using CAD software and had them laser-cut, and he sourced a set of King 2.5-inch coilovers from a side-by-side to replace the stock Toyota suspension. The finished PreRunner will be 78 inches wide, nearly 20 inches wider than a stock GT86. Stewart is also fabricating a custom tubular chassis and plans to install a turbocharged FA20 engine from a donor Scion FR-S, aiming for around 300 horsepower.
- Stewart began the GT86 PreRunner project in early 2022.
The players
Jeremiah Stewart
A resident of Fairbanks, Alaska, who is transforming a 2018 Toyota GT86 sports car into a Dakar Rally-inspired PreRunner with extensive off-road modifications.
Bill Caswell
A self-taught rally racer and fabricator who has inspired Stewart's project.
What they’re saying
“You start with your track width and what size tires you're going to use and wheel spec, and you kind of just build in from there. I designed the spindle first because you have to set your kingpin inclination based on your tire size.”
— Jeremiah Stewart
“You don't have to be an engineer. It's been made super-easy nowadays.”
— Jeremiah Stewart
What’s next
Stewart plans to continue the build process, including installing a custom tubular chassis, a turbocharged engine, and an original interior and climate controls. Once completed, he hopes to use the GT86 PreRunner to compete in off-road rallies in the Lower 48 states.
The takeaway
This project showcases the creativity and engineering skills of enthusiasts who are willing to go to great lengths to transform a sports car into an off-road-capable machine. It also highlights the growing accessibility of custom fabrication and suspension design tools, allowing DIY builders to create unique vehicles without formal engineering training.
