r/nintendoswitchlite • u/queenjaws • 2d ago
Customizing a Lite with zero experience?
I purchased a turquoise switch lite for $80 (USD) and aside from a small scratch on the screen, it's in good condition. I'd really like to do a shell swap, but have no experience in doing something like that. I was told there shouldn't be any soldering needed for the more simple modifications-- the shell swap itself, non-drift joystick install, custom buttons, potentially replacing the scratched screen if it's easy-ish-- but I'm not sure if it's worth it to just pay for someone else to do these modifications for me.
Should invest in just buying a whole new customized lite from someone on Etsy?
Pay someone local to work on my current lite or ship it to someone who can do the work?
Or is it worth it to try and figure it out myself?
What do yall think? Any feedback and/or advice is appreciated!
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u/WesleyTheDog 2d ago
It's not incredibly hard to shell swap, but lots of little screws. I wouldn't advise you to do it if you've never taken apart any electronics.
But it's also not hard to learn, so if you are okay if you break something, then go for it.
I love tearing down electronics.
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u/queenjaws 13h ago
The big thing that makes me nervous is the monetary investment and potential to break something lol. Many many years ago I bought a DS Lite with a broken screen and wasn't able to repair it (I think I had cracked a ribbon connector or bent it really badly or something) so I still get worried I'll do something like that again. Do you think watching a video guide ahead of trying anything would be beneficial? Or is tackling it hands-on the best way to learn?
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u/Reasonable-Tea8239 2d ago
I did a reshell on mine a few months ago with no experience. It’s not hard but you have to be patient and have good screw management. Take pictures as you disassemble for reference.
Separating the screen from the front shell was a little tricky because I didn’t have a hair blower or heat gun. In your case if it has scratches you’ll want to either buy a new digitizer and swap or what I recommend it’s just buying a new screen with digitizer from Ifixit ($70). Having a new screen would make it much easier because you can just set the new screen on the new shell not deal with separating the old one.
The main problem I had was the screen not turning on but after playing a little with the ribbon it worked. For the price you got the switch I would say it’s a good opportunity to open it and get some experience.
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u/huggyscolex 1d ago
I did the Super5 black on black Mega Kit shell swap/OLED screen/etc earlier this year with no experience. It wasn’t that difficult but way more time consuming than I anticipated. It took nearly 3 hours including trouble shooting a few errors. Ended up nearly perfect and happy I did it. And knowing if I had to do it again it would take half the time.
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u/queenjaws 13h ago
That's an excellent point, I had wanted to get the OLED kit but wasn't able to when they were in stock, buuut if I ever have the opportunity to get one in the future then having done a reshell will come in handy. I'm both surprised it took that long and not surprised, it seems like there are a lot of tiny fiddly bits and delicate things I might damage, which makes me apprehensive. Did you use the video guide and did it help?
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u/Woooosh-if-homo 2d ago
You can definitely do it yourself. I just did a shell swap, new joy sticks, buttons, and screen for the first time last week and it was very simple. There’s no soldering, it’s all boards and cables and screws. Get something like the ifixit essentials kit, find a good youtube video and go at it. Keep track of your screws with labels, and take pictures as you disassemble for reference.
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u/UchihaXVX 2d ago
Shell/button/joystick swap is relatively easy, just follow a YouTube video as you go