XPS 1640: Replace slot loading optical drive with hard drive and caddy

I'm thinking of removing my DVD drive and replacing it with a caddy and hard drive as explained here. I don't use the DVD drive very often and would much prefer a 500GB or 1TB hard drive in there. The DVD drive can then be used externally via the eSATA port using this cable.

The ideal solution would be to use this NewmodeUS caddy as it supports the larger 12.7mm 1TB 2.5" hard drives and has a removable faceplate. The problem is the price. At $55 including postage to the UK plus customs, VAT and clearance fees on top it's going to work out pretty expensive for what is essentially a slimline SATA to SATA extension.

Unfortunately I can't seem to find any 12.7mm high SATA to SATA caddies on eBay but there are plenty of 9.5mm. I assume one of these will work ok as stated in the initial guide. However I'm not sure if they will fit in the space length ways as I don't believe the caddies on eBay have removable face plates and we have a slot loading DVD drive.

Has anyone else attempted anything similar with their 1640?

 

On further investigation I don't think that caddy will fit in the space as the 1640's internal DVD drive is 5" deep as stated here and the caddy is 5.68" deep as stated here. Looks like I will have to go down either the NewmodeUS route or a make a custom cable using ones of these and these. The only problem with that would be securing the hard drive inside the void.

 

Hi iaTa, please let me know how you go with this, i'm interested in doing this too =)