Tire and wheel questions - 2nd Gen

Hi,
I'm getting lost in all the technical details of getting after market rims and tires for my tacoma and was wondering if someone can help simplify this for me. What I want to know is, how can I tell if the wheels and tires fit?

Here's the background:

I want to put a nice set of wheels and tires on my 2013 tacoma, 4WD, Access Cab. And I have specific wheels/tires that I want to buy, but no one sells that specific combination.

All the local dealers are saying that they'll sell them to me, but they won't guarantee that it will fit. And if they don't fit, then I have to pay a restocking fee plus labor. For example, one tire store said that they'll sell me the tires and mount them on the rims, but they won't install them on the truck because they take no responsibility for them fitting. The tire dealer said that most of the time with aftermarket rims on Tacomas, you have to move up to a 17" wheel to fit around the brake calipers on a Tacoma.

Here's what I want to buy:
Method Grid Wheels, 16x8, 0/4.5" offset/spacing
Toyo Open Country AT/II 265/70 R16

My understanding is that 265/70 R16 is a stock tacoma tire size and from reading all the email threads, it sounds like the Method rims will fit, but it will be a tight fit.

So my plan is to first, take the wheel to a local garage and have them check to see if the wheel fits. Then if the wheel fits, buy one tire, have the tire dealer mount it, then bring it back to the local garage and have them put it on the truck and see if the wheel+tire fits.

My question after all of this is:
1. What should I look for to determine if the wheel fits. Is the only test, does it rotate without hitting anything?
2. What should I look for to determine if the tire+wheel fits? Do you have to test that with the truck on the ground to see if it clears the fenders while turning?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

- Danielle

 

I just went through the similar predicament Danielle. I also have a 2013, mine is a TRD Sport. I wanted to go down to 16" rims from my stock 17". I went with American Racing Outlaw IIs and Goodyear Wrangler Adventures w/Kevlar. Unfortunately, they did not clear the caliper and needed a 1/4" spacer. I live in Maine, and have a set of straight up snow tires on my stock rims for winter use. The only real way to know is to try one of the rims you want out for size. Ordering 1 is the way to go, so if it doesn't work you only have to pay shipping to return 1. I also went with 265/70 and they do rub on the mud flaps slightly. I will probably go with a leveling kit to remedy this. Good Luck!