Project: Paradigm (Xbox 360 case mod)

[DAE_JA_VOO]

Well, it's christmas, everything is closed, so i can't buy paint or plexi for Endorphin (the mod i'm working on at the moment), and my family is in christmas mode (i don't celebrate christmas so i need to keep myself busy). So, what do i do, i mod something ELSE!! Woohoo!!

Here are the plans so far for this specific 360:

Case Window
Replace the fans with nicer ones
Some modding to the fan duct, maybe chrome it, or import a new one
LEDs in the bottom and the top
LEDs inside the place where the front USB ports are. These LEDs will only be visible if something is plugged into the ports
Internalize the HDD
Mod another HDD into the current HDD enclosure and use that as a device that i can store stuff on from my PC and then view on the 360
LEDs in the optical drive
Optical drive window
HDD activity LED somewhere on the 360... still need to decide
Ethernet activity LED
Change the LEDs on the Ring Of Light (ROL) to blue
Change the LEDs in the controller to blue
Change the LED in the play & charge kit to blue
Maybe an LED fader kit for the LEDs in the case for when the 360 is off
Window in the HDD enclosure
LEDs in the HDD enclosure
Close up the memory card slots and IR view on the front. I don't want that stuff there

So i grabbed one of my 360s and pulled it apart. Here's the top cover:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6088_800.jpg



Inside:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6089_800.jpg



All masked up and ready for some love. Say hello to my little friend!

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6090_800.jpg



Almost done cutting:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6092_800.jpg



Alrighty, panel out:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6094_800.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6096_800.jpg



Now it's all down to lots and lots of sanding...

Sanding done:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6097_800.jpg



A quick test fit:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6102_800.jpg



Excuse the two random wires and masking tape in the 360. Those are wires i've soldered onto the underside of the board for 5V power source.

What i needed now was the window. This is the plexi i'll be using for the window.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6114_800.jpg



Don't worry, it's transparent plexi, it just has a blue protective film over it. I didn't bother cutting that plexi to size just yet because i first want to cut a nice window border like i did here with Endorphin's side panel:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/Genocide/IMG_5539_800.jpg



I'll probably only get to do that next week though when everything opens :(

Anyway, 360 back together:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6104_800.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6111_800.jpg



And back on it's place

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6123_800.jpg



I have a few goodies on their way to me from china. I ordered them just before i went on holiday, so they should be here any day now. I ordered some replacement rear fans, an LED lighting setup... err... can't remember what else :|

Then I started with the HDD enclosure. So, we all know what the HDD looks like in it's default form:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/360hdd/IMG_5722_800.jpg



After opening it up, i pulled the top piece apart from everything else, and then I masked it up:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6158_800.jpg



Almost done cutting:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6167_800.jpg



Done sanding. Just have to make the edges smoother:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6171_800.jpg



Now, the 360 HDD enclosure has a nice chrome side:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6173_800.jpg



That fits like this:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6175_800.jpg



But that little bridge in the middle is in the way, so it needed to go:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6177_800.jpg



All done, no plexi yet though:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6183_800.jpg



And then, finished!! All pimped out with a nice 1.5mm clear plexi window :D

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6187_800.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6190_800.jpg


I just need to get rid of that "Warranty" sticker on the HDD...


I wasn't happy with the HDD window. So i decided to make a flush mount window. This way, instead of having the hole in the cover with a piece of plexi INSIDE, you have a piece of plexi SLIGHTLY larger than the hole, which is then FORCED into the hole and the result is a window that's FLUSH with the cover. It looks a million times better:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6212_800.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6216_800.jpg



Then it was time to get some LED goodness going. So, i took out the HDDs cables:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6203_800.jpg



I needed these two:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6206_800.jpg



Yellow is 5V, black is ground. Wires stripped:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6207_800.jpg



Then after testing with a multimeter, i quickly soldered on an LED just to make sure:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6210_800.jpg



Success. So, after removing that LED, i made these:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6220_800.jpg



I also soldered on a resistor:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6223_800.jpg



Glued the LEDs in place:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6226_800.jpg



Once that was done, all i had to do was put it all together. All done:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6232_800.jpg



Lights off:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6237_800.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6235_800.jpg



Not too bad if i must say so myself!

Now i need to change the LEDs on the ROL (Ring of light) ASAP. The green doesn't exactly go with the blue in the HDD.

MUCH more to come!

Let me know what you guys think.

Regards
Ett

[UrbanLegend_NY]

Looks good man! I ones had a 360 of my own. I water cooled it with Koolace's 360 kit and had a sweet window cut out with a beautiful Ferrari stallion on the side but then I sold it.. Looks like you've gotten to know the dremel tool fairly well. I try to teach people but some people are just not teachable lol but its a great tool. That blue looks sweet in there too. :banana:

UL_NY

[SgtM]

So, I count 3 360's that I can see. Do you think you have enough? Why so many? Anyway, the project looks very cool. The only thing I would suggest doing is to lightly sand the tops of the LED's flat. It'll give them a more diffused look, and not so spotty. Can't wait to see more.
+rep

[chaksq]

I really like that flush window. I think you should try the side panel like that too if you can. I'm also wondering why you have so many XBox 360s, want to give me one?

[Omega]

If I had another 360 (I don't want to muck up my brand new one =p) I would totally mod it. Anywho, looking good.

[UrbanLegend_NY]

If I had another 360 (I don't want to muck up my brand new one =p) I would totally mod it. Anywho, looking good.

Give it day or two.. It'll be just another one laying around lol.. I thought the same thing but then came to the conclusion of whats the diff you your just gona cut into it late for the benefit not just to destroy it.. Modding doesn't need a reason. Just a good set of tools and a steady hand! :up::up: So crack it open hack it up and break some warranties. Microsoft wont repair a broken one anyways they've given up on them..

UL_NY

[Mitternacht]

I did the blue LED conversion for the Ring of Lights; i even changed the lights on my controller too. And if my hard drive was gonna stay external, I'd definitely do the HDD LED's.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Mate this looks fantastic. I know a site that has all after market mods for the 360, thy have things that will do everything you are doing. Let me know if you want the link. Also, why do you have 3 360s, I can't even afford 1 lol.

[dexaroni]

That looks great man!

One question, how do you get the Acrylic to mount flush with the HD casing? That has perplexied me for ages (Bad pun).

[.Maleficus.]

That looks great man!

One question, how do you get the Acrylic to mount flush with the HD casing? That has perplexied me for ages (Bad pun).
He said that you make the plexi a little bigger than the hole (read LITTLE) and force it into the hole. That makes it tight and flush.

This is looking great man, and when I get a 360 I might mod it now!

Also, for the HDD activity light, why not just make the blue LEDs the HDD activity lights? It would be blinking a lot, but might look cool.

[Luke122]

Definitely a good looking mod!
:D

[DAE_JA_VOO]

Thanks for all the comments guys!


So, I count 3 360's that I can see. Do you think you have enough? Why so many? Anyway, the project looks very cool. The only thing I would suggest doing is to lightly sand the tops of the LED's flat. It'll give them a more diffused look, and not so spotty. Can't wait to see more.
+rep

I have 4 :D

Thanks for the tip BTW ;)




That looks great man!

One question, how do you get the Acrylic to mount flush with the HD casing? That has perplexied me for ages (Bad pun).
It's actually pretty simple. You need to cut the plexi SLIGHTLY smaller than the hole it's going to fit into, and then just force it in there ;)

Update!!

Okay, this isn't much of an update, but i've got one or two things to share :)

A nice little package arrived from Honk Kong:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6447.jpg



Included in this package were the following:

A set of Blue Talismoon rear fans:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6454.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6455.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6456.jpg



Compared to the stock fans:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6458.jpg



A new fan duct:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6460.jpg



Compared to the stock fan duct:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6463.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6465.jpg


Some LEDs:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6467.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6468.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6469.jpg



(yes, i know, i could have made those myself. But i'm lazy, and they were cheap :P )

And lastly, the replacement cover for my DVD drive:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6470.jpg



The bummer about the DVD drive cover is that it requires me to tear open my original cover for the little balancing goodie:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6476.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6477.jpg



Which is then held in place with this:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6482.jpg



I dunno if i'm gonna keep that piece though. I might make my own one...

Anyway, stock fan:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6485.jpg



New fan:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6490.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6491.jpg



Fan duct in place, and testing:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_6496.jpg



I then also wired up the new LEDs. All power from the bottom of the motherboard:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_7643.jpg



I ALSO changed the LEDs on the ROL, from green to blue:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_7655.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_7656.jpg



I then threw it all together just for a quick test to see how it looks:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_7654.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_7657.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/IMG_7660.jpg



Tomorrow i'm gonna go get some paint. Can't wait to finish this baby :D

[DZ469]

Nice mod man keep up the good work :up::D:bunny:

[Enigma]

Looks really cool, keep it up :)

[billygoat333]

pretty sweet lookin setup. my brother in law has a plexi case with blue leds for his 360. Love the idea, and the blue looks sick!

[cooldud02123]

nice work i really want to do that to mine but i am scared to break it but were did u get your stuff from

[The boy 4rm oz]

Looking nice buddy, keep it up.

[DAE_JA_VOO]

Thanks guys!

Final pics!!!

I'm sorry for the lack of updates. I was pushed to finish it towards the end and just didn't have the time or patience to do updates ;)


http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8102.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8104.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8106.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8108.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8110.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8114.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8115.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8116.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8122.jpg



A nice clear shot of the paintjob:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8124.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8125.jpg



And the DVD ROM window:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8142.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8141.jpg



The controller:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8111.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8113.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8126.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8127.jpg



And of course, some shots of the lighting:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8129.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8130.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8133.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8134.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8136.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8137.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8140.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8138.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/DAE_JA_VOO/first360mod/img_8139.jpg



Let me know what you guys think! :D

[Mitternacht]

Beautifully done.

What kind of plexi did you use for the console? Did you have any issues over it clearing the cpu heatsink?

[The boy 4rm oz]

That looks fantastic. I love the colour and the lighting scheme. Perfect match. The detail is amazing and looks like it came from the factory that way. +rep for the awesome work

[b4i7]

very nice DJV, makes me wanna mod my xbox... mebbe make that my next project..+rep

[silverdemon]

awfull.....ly nice! damn good job! really really nice! +rep

[moOmL]

Reallly nice mod. Paint came out really great and the end result is amazing. Great mod!

[Plague282]

Looks sick man, I would totally mod my 360, Its just that I have a feeling I could get the red ring of death and then be screwed cuz doing that voids the warranty of getting it replaced by microsoft.

[Xtrykr]

Very cool mod! That xbox is pimpin!

[Vital]

May I ask what you used to paint it?