I can say rebuilding my 2.5 cost almost as much as a crate engine that you install yourself.

The cheapest way is DIY with a engine kit but this means your Dakota will be down 1 month. First you pull the engine then you tear it down clean things up and have a machine shop check things out they then recommend needed work and parts. With this info you can buy the correct kit with bearing sizes correct pistons and other info.

It took me 1 month the machine shop can take up to 3 weeks ordering the kit 1 week or more and your rebuild time 3 to 6 days.

Extra costs like rebuilt crank new rod and cam can run up the cost so $1.600 is not to off a price even DIY. A new clutch is always a must unless a new clutch was installed recently. You will also need to buy and rent needed tools unless a friend has the tools.

Some of the cost is dependent on how much you want to do or replace like the cam but usually you replace it and the lifters other things may need replacing also.

 

Well, here's the culprit that took me down.




And here's the complete rebuild going in later today.