Problem Can I upgrade to custom firmware of a Phat PSP-1001 v.3.11? (too many dead links)

I've been searching online for a way to either downgrade to 1.5 in order to install custom firmwares, etc. But all my old bookmarks and most of the links in the "Rules sections" are dead.

I haven't touched the PSP hacking community in a very long time. Back then I needed to create a Pandora battery to downgrade and do what ever with my PSP (which I haven't done). The devhook site is offline, most links are dead. Even using the archive.org to restore some information, all the software download links are dead.

What I want:
Download the newer games and play them (as well as emulators or homebrews).

Can I?
Install a custom firmware such as 6.60 PRO-C fix 3 or any other versions directly from my 3.11 version with a broken UMD drive?

My PSP info:
PSP-1001 v3.11 (official if I remember correctly, originally a 1.5 firmware)
UMD not working on this PSP! So the Lumines UMD based hacks won't work.

I also have another PSP which I could also hack but rather not take the chance to brick it:
PSP-1001 v3.40 OE-A (I think it was hacked when bought online, not sure if I officially upgraded it after)

Do I need:
To go through the Pandora + Magic Memory Stick (thankfully the Pandora battery seems to be pretty easy now)
or
Install official firmware 6.20 (isn't getting stuck in higher versions a bad thing especially if you ever want to go back to version 1.5) and http://wololo.net/installing-pro-cfw-on-a-psp-1000-psp-phat/
or Anything better?

 

Update to 6.60 official firmware, then use one of the 6.60 lite firmwares to install 6.60 ME. Getting back to 1.50 is beyond oldschool.