@Matt_W, Dude I respect anybody that takes doing things into their own hands, especially when they have the tools and the talent to do it 
I’ve never done what you are thinking about, but if you don’t get enough light from just a front and rear exposure, you might be able to “hog out” some material to allow some side light exposure as well. Good luck and let us know how it works out - I think it will work out good.