What is the trick to removing the fuse box cover in a 1986 190E?

I can easily remove the latches and the cover floats freely but this thing is crammed into such a tight space, I can't pull it all the way out.

The illustration in the owner's manual shows the entire fuse box lower (toward the front bumber) then what I see under my hood. With the hood extended all the way the fuse box is tucked about 2-3 inches back into the car (away from the bumper) and prevents me from lifting the cover up more than an inch or two.

I'm sure the key here is to be smarter than the fuse box, but right now this thing has me beat. My oil and temp guages are on the fritz and I wanted to replace the fuses because I thought it would be the easiest thing to try first.

Any thoughts?