PROJECT RED 3G and DIY Tutorial

**cpjr** · 12-15-2008, 08:27 PM

Project Red 3G
So I swiped this 3G 8gigger real cheap because the LCD was basically blown. See first pic. Everything else tested working 100%. Decided since I was going to open it up, might as well do a little "something something" to it as well and decided on a new back in a new color - in particular....Red. So I know alot you ya'll want to see what the insides of these beasts look like, and wonder just how this thing comes apart.....so without further ado, here ya go:

Sad little broken Iphone....

Step 1: Popping the screen assembly out (2 screws at bottom) and 3 flex cables to disconnect...

Screen assembly, phone assembly, and the New Red case!!

Step 2: Yank that Logicboard out, several screws, loosen the camera and a few more flex cables to disconnect...

Screen, Logicboard and everything else...

Step 3: Remove the battery, glued to the case...

Step 4: Basically, remove everything else....which includes the buttons, headphone jack, cables, vibrator, dock connector assembly and misc parts. I also removed the chrome bezel to re-use which included rails and connecting points. By now you've also collected around 25 screws (I didnt count).

What a mess......doesnt look like much for the money now does it?

Step 5: Rewind....parts go back in, just in a new case

Step 6: Add the battery and Logicboard...

Step 7: Screen assembly and button her up....

Aint it pretty.....

I didnt get extremely detailed, but if you dont follow....I wouldnt suggest trying it yourself

EDIT: And heres the LCD swap....

New LCD....

Step 1: Once you have the screen assembly off (shown above) the LCD and tray slide out after removing several screws and tape around the edges...

Step 2: Now you must separate the old LCD and the tray (held in place with a glue like substance)

Step 3: Rewind, placing the new LCD on the tray (should include adhesive) and placing the tray back onto the screen assembly, then button her back up

**Zwayne** · 12-15-2008, 08:36 PM

Very nicely done cpjr!!

**one1** · 12-15-2008, 08:42 PM

Are you sure it works? (nice case by the way)

The red bar and disabled screen are usually only present on the 3G when there is a hardware issue with the radio. The phone disabled error relates to the phone not being able to turn the cellular on. It's the same screen that I got when I had that black 3g that had been dropped and it had the center crystal broken inside (the one that is not replaceable). With yours also having impact damage I'd be concerned. I guess you've made a call on it though already?

If so, lucky, lucky, lucky.......... the red strip of death is almost always a hardware error in the radio.

**JackSchitt** · 12-15-2008, 08:43 PM

that is a nice looking cover. where did you find it? i want to do mine now.

**cpjr** · 12-15-2008, 08:44 PM

^^I've tested it with my AT&T simcard....works like a charm

After a DFU restore the error msg went away.

**JackSchitt** · 12-15-2008, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by one1

Are you sure it works? (nice case by the way)

The red bar and disabled screen are usually only present on the 3G when there is a hardware issue with the radio. The phone disabled error relates to the phone not being able to turn the cellular on. It's the same screen that I got when I had that black 3g that had been dropped and it had the center crystal broken inside (the one that is not replaceable). With yours also having impact damage I'd be concerned. I guess you've made a call on it though already?

hope he threw a sim in there and made her ring.

EDIT: he threw a sim card in there and made her ring.

**cpjr** · 12-15-2008, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by JackSchitt

that is a nice looking cover. where did you find it? i want to do mine now.

Not quite OEM quality....but real close. For the price, yea cant beat it.

iPhone 3G/2G Cases

**JackSchitt** · 12-15-2008, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by cpjr

Not quite OEM quality....but real close. For the price, yea cant beat it.

iPhone 3G/2G Cases

does it have that glossy shiny look and feel of the stock cover?

**one1** · 12-15-2008, 08:52 PM

So it has a metal anodized metallic look? SCHWEET.

**cpjr** · 12-15-2008, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by JackSchitt

does it have that glossy shiny look and feel of the stock cover?

Yeah, the pics dont do it justice....even with my Nikon. I used the original chrome bezel instead of the supplied plastic one and it took a little fitting to make all the edges flush, and you barely see some molding lines around the buttons.....but overall, very nice. Perfect for someone with a screwed up case.

**JackSchitt** · 12-15-2008, 08:55 PM

i would love to order the blue cover, but you never see the back of my iphone because of my case. would have to change it back if i ever needed to go to the apple store, decisions decisions.

**cpjr** · 12-15-2008, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by one1

So it has a metal anodized metallic look? SCHWEET.

Exactly

Originally Posted by JackSchitt

i would love to order the blue cover, but you never see the back of my iphone because of my case. would have to change it back if i ever needed to go to the apple store, decisions decisions.

Yeah, all this is gonna get is a BSE. And for me....this thing was damaged and getting ripped apart so the decision was easy.

And hey, I only gave $170 for it anyway.

**JackSchitt** · 12-15-2008, 09:06 PM

well you did good on both purchases.

**z3r01** · 12-15-2008, 09:08 PM

nice cover

**cpjr** · 12-15-2008, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by JackSchitt

well you did good on both purchases.

Thanks. I have a white 3g 16gb I bought when they came out.....so I was just gonna "play" with this one for now.

**kjack05** · 12-15-2008, 09:14 PM

Very nice write up! I was thinking about eventually changing my case out, but was waiting until someone else did a write up about, thanks for the link to these cases as well!

How do these compare as far as quality to the original case? Does it look like it could of been OEM as far as the fitment? Do all of the screw holes and everything match up?

How hard is it to detach the flex cables and reconnect them when putting back together? How long do you think it took you to make the swap?

Also on these online what is the point of the front piece it includes? Is it just a replacement front screen or what? is that part like a plastic overlay over the glass?

Thanks alot for your contribution!

**FairLight** · 12-15-2008, 11:45 PM

I wonder if it's possible to change the color of the faceplate of the LCD. (The black parts.)

If someone manages to pull it off, I'd be more than willing to let them do it to mine :b

Just imagine a white iPhone, With a white faceplate too.

Dreamy.

**bhz1** · 12-16-2008, 06:31 AM

Looks nice! makes me want a pretty blue iPhone.

Ive taken apart and fixed Moto V3's, (found a broken one on the street and owner did not want it back.) not sure if I'm brave enough to try the iPhone. Maybe find a cheap broken one to practice on like you did.

**mumra06** · 12-16-2008, 09:38 AM

I agree this mod is awesome. One question though. What does the back of the case look like? Meaning, the original has imei info on it?

**xcela** · 12-16-2008, 10:32 AM

Very nice indeed! Great work disassembling and putting it back together. Cheers!

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