fuel cell--HELP!!

[67gmcss]

Put a summit 16 gal. fuel cell in the 67 short step. Putting the wood bed in it this afternoon and hit a snag. The filler cap on the cell hits dead in the middle of the center metal strip 18 inches from the tailgate. How did you guys fix this problem? Cut the strip in the middle and hope it stays on? Cut a place out in the wood without looking like crap? I don't have a side marker to work with and don't want a big filler neck stuck up in the bed. Sadly enough, it's too late to really fabricate anything into the bedside as the body man has the bed ready for paint as it is. Any ideas and definitely any pics greatly appreciated.