How to apply fix of later version ionic to previous version in project

Problem:
Run into a ionic bug https://github.com/ionic-team/ionic/issues/12072 in 3.8.
However, solution mentioned not work.
Fix related released in 4.x and I would like to apply it in current project.

Objective:

1. Apply / copy code fix to local project
2. Make ionic a local module to be install instead of official source.
3. Other uses “npm install” would install the modified node module after pull source

Other Solution:

1. Make a hook copy the fix each time building the project by replacing line.
   But risk that any mis-replace would crash the project.

Is there a official / recommended way to modify ionic?
(not upgrading ionic)

Thanks