How to revive an iPod with a hard drive using flash storage

rick_h

During the iPod classic heyday I was too broke to spend my money on such a luxury, but I did save up and eventually purchased an iPod nano 6th gen.  It was a chiclet size touch interface and it sucked.  A couple years ago I purchased a 2nd hand iPod classic 5th gen 30 gig and I feel in love. Not long after, I had some issues with the clickwheel switch which required me to take it completely apart to repair.  I watched several videos and soon learned everything about moding them.  To date I have modded two and should have a third one completed this week. One mod uses the larger 60gig HDD main board so I can squeeze more songs into the database.  The other mod is a 30G unit, I upgraded it to a 128g SD card and a 1800mA battery.  The 2nd one I went even larger capacity with two 128g micro SD cards (both units used different adapters) and a 2800mA battery.  On both units I replaced the front bezel and rear metal case with a thinner one that is used on the 30gig units.  They both look and work gorgeous.  If you have an older gen 5 or 5.5 that needs a new battery, HDD or LCD and you feel bold I strongly suggest that you invest it upgrading your iPod classic.  Cost for one of the two units:

Rear case with earphone jack and switch pre-installed, $27 (Don't try reinstalling the headphone jack or switch yourself)
Front bezel Case, $15
Clickwheel and button, $17
Flash adapter, $35- $42
Flash, SD micro 128 gig x2. $38
Battery, 1800-2800ma battery $13, $17
LCD replacment (defective battery will bulge and destroy LCD) $20 
These parts are available here in the US.  I use 'Elite Obsolete Electronics'

Below are both units. BTW- I am swapping out the red click button for a white one. One last thought.  Click wheels and buttons can be polished back to their original condition.  So do not replace unless they are broken or you desire a new color.  Good luck!!!!