Some numbers from mine may help you. Definitely keep with the tall rear tire IMO.
Quote:
Wheels
American Racing Torque Thrust M's
Front - 17x8 with 4.5" backspacing
Rear - 18x9 with 5.9" backspacing
Notes - The rear 18s are running 3/4" wheel spacers to keep the tire off the spring. The axle has 3" studs to allow for proper lug engagement with the thick aluminum wheel and spacers. Also, that particular wheel has a different size hub for the 17 and 18. The 18" wheel will NOT fit on the front without modifying the hub on the car, or the wheel. I stumbled upon this when I got the 18s first and I wanted to just try them on the front.
Tires - Nitto 555
Front - 255/45/17
Rear - 295/45/18
Suspension
Front ride height - 24 1/2" from the ground to the center of the wheel well.
Rear ride height - 26"
Front suspension is stock torsion bar suspension. The rear has super stock leaf springs with 1" lowering blocks. (~about stock height)
Rear clearances - 1/2" from the tire to the leaf spring, and 1/2" from the tire to the 1/4 panel. 1" for the same locations, but to the actual rim lip.
