[Delphinus]

I've got a real "DUH" kind of question ... is your front plane fixed or is it part of the hinged part so that it opens?

If it is not part of the hinged part ... are you planning to have the only way in and out for maintenance etc. from the top? Alternatively if it is part of the door what will come of it once the whole assembly is raised?

It seems to me your idea should work ... what I would be tempted to do is ... oh crap I don't know how to describe this. make a sort of step so that there is a piece that is flush with the outside and a piece on the inside that is raised that would butt up against the 2x2's. If I understand you correctly this is sort of what you're thinking of? To make this new piece I would take two pieces of wood and glue them together to make this assembly, and then either just screw or glue this to the hood.

Don't listen to me .... I have no idea what I'm talking about!