highly interested in these trucks but can't get over the inner wheel bead size, it's like nails on a chalkboard to me. is there a wheel/tire combo that's the same on the inner bead as the outer bead that will give the truck a more realistic/scale look?

Jconcepts 2.6 inch (clod sized) wheels/tires will fit with adapters, unfortunately due to the LMT steering knuckle design they must be mounted with wideners that increases the track width to a non-scale look. With a different knuckle design and steering link clod wheels can fit in their narrowest configuration (my preference) but there are currently no readily available parts to accomplish this.

This photo is using JC 2.6 Tributes/JCTs with their 25mm wide wheel adapters (included with their tribute wheels):

actually that doesn't look bad. it looks better to me than the oversized inner wheel bead.

I hated it too at first (those are monsterized SCT wheels!) but once you drive the truck the irritation fades away. Fantastic driving experience. Have you had a chance to drive it?