Replacing small ZIF cable with larger one?

Here's an interesting one. I ordered all the parts I need to replace the hard drive in my 160 GB Classic (Thick) with an SSD, but ran into a snag since apparently *only* the thick version uses a ZIF ribbon cable that's half the size. So I have an 18 pin ZIF connector coming out of the iPod that I wanted to connect to a 40 pin ZIF to mSATA board. Are there any solutions for me? Can I buy a new ribbon to convert from 18 pin to 40 pin? I couldn't find any 18 pin ZIF to mSATA boards.

FYI, 18 is just the number of pins I could count myself on the ribbon. I could be wrong on that number, but it's definitely 16-20.