Yes very possible in fact did it today. If its your first time working on an iphone, here is a little hint I wish someone told me 3 years ago. GET A PAIR OF 3X READING GLASSES from the dollar store. It will save you so much grief.
Anyway, tried to re-solder chips once to get my daughter a 4s, big pain in the a$%!. It does work though.
My opinion on Apple's Activation lock- It is scam on Apple's part. The majority of Activation locked phones are NOT stolen. Now ther are millions of worthless (unless you are tech saavy) phones and Apple has a reason to produce and sell more phones. Hundreds of people waste money on eBay everyday buying phones honestly and get stuck with a paper weight. Apple benefits in the end.
Solution- ONLY LOCK PHONES THAT ARE REPORTED TO POLICE AS STOLEN. Not every freakin phone with iCloud on it. Come on!!