I never had the top fastened down yet. So doing a mod was no big deal. As a matter of fact it's already done. I even took it a step further by using the KISS principle to it's best level. As I looked at it further it dawned on me why even have the counter top over the cooler? If cut and hinge the counter, I still would need to clear off that section when I wanted to raise the cooler lid. So why bother with all the work. Why not just place whatever I need to right on the lid of the cooler? Use the cooler lid for extra counter surface when needed.
So I ended up cutting the counter top as planned. I then fabbed a new end panel for the cabinet. So now the counter ends right at the start of the cooler bay. It went together like a champ. Plus it looks good too. It's going to be much more functional this way. The cooler opens 90% of the way before a lift strut interferes. So great access to the cooler now. Plus I still have just short of 40 inches of counter top width left. Plenty of room to food prep and cook on with either the BBQ, or Coleman stove on the counter too.
As an additional bonus I remembered I had a nice sized piece of polished stainless in my odd's and end's stash. It's just a tad short of the space. Leaves a bit over an inch or so border of counter around it. I still like how it looks. It also has a bit of "patina" to it. It's got some scratches and so forth from it's previous life. Nothing horrible. Just looks like it's seen some use. I had wanted that look of the metal counter tops in old teardrops. This hit's that nail right on the head.
I'll get a pic up at some point. Headed out there now to get back at it. Have to knock it off at 2pm today. Other stuff to do.