I can't say it will negatively affect the handling in this vehicle, but I generally avoid it. It's a no no in Miatas and I have never done it with any 4x4/AWD. You also completely lose the ability to rotate tires if they are mono-direction, which more seem to be these days.
I would be curious to know what you ultimately go with. Depending on fit, I might go to a 19x9 and then something like a 245/45-19. I don't suppose a 255 or 265 would fit.
I haven't really looked, but I wonder if those plastic fender lips can be rolled or trimmed, or just removed altogether.