I kinda like caps, but depends on the truck. As for keeping your lid, I have this idea, if I cant explain it well enough then theres no way w/o being in person. So here goes...

Essentially whats going to happen is because the way the bars are, and the lid is, behind the bars (for ***** sake) we'll say 12" of lid has to be cut out. This is where it gets hard to explain. Underneath (or I suppose on top) you would have two pieces of the left over lid, or plexiglass, or sheet metal or whatever, held on UNDER the lid, on both sides of the bar. They would be on like a track sorta, so as the lid rises, the two pieces move as they ride up the bar. You'd still have to cut the lid up, and wouldnt be water tight, but you wouldnt have two long holes in it, or from a distance wouldnt appear like you did.

I know thats probably confusing as ****, but its in my head. I'm trying to think of something to compare it to.

 

How about makin a quick Paint design for us maybe.

 

ok the black is the outline of your lid. the green dots are your bars, those dont move. The redish/purplish outlines are these "plates" im talking about. They're on a track of some sorta, and as the lid goes up, they would ride up the bar, then as it goes down, ride it back down.

edit: let me make a quick side one too... Ok, I hope it makes some bit of sense

 

Reminds me of a girl with a fat ***

 

I'm following you and I even think that it could be sealed from the bottom to create a pretty water tight mechanism.

 

I don't follow him. I've read it and read it and I just don't get it.

 

Cut a strip in your lid that will allow the top to open and close. Just long enough for the travel needed.

Make a plate that will have a hole in the middle going around the bar. The total length of the plate needs to long enough to cover the hole cut in your lid from the bottom.

The plate would then attach from the bottom of your lid and rest on some type of slides. This would allow the plate to move back and forth and you open and close the lid.

In order to waterproof it you could build another that would be installed under the moving plate and seal it up to the lid. You could also use some type of sealant around the bars.

I wrote this quick so I hope it helps.

Edit: Think of how a gear shift works on a center console. You have the wood trim around it with a piece that is attached to the actual shifter that rides back and forth inside of it.

 

Not sure what kind it is, but I've always liked Kevin Whipps' truck cap. I can't stand caps either. Here's a pic:


edit- another pic:

 

An easier option that would look pretty much the same is a similar design where you would just weld a plate to your bars just under the lid and create a seal around the edge of the holes cut. This plate would stay in place when you opend the lid and the lid would shut down on top of it when you closed it

I know you said you didn't want to cut it, but depending on how much travel is needed I don't think it would look that bad.

Going this way would allow you to keep a flush appearance also. Think of how a hood works with a fixed hood scoop on the engine. The hood scoop stays in place while the hood comes down on top to seal. All you would see is an out line of where the two meet.

 

That's what I'm talking about! That's the Leer that I posted. Excellent pic! Thanks man!!!!!!!!!