Front Suspension Travel

I believe that magic 5" number is the amount of front end travel (not shock travel) from ride height, to the point at which the tires lift off the ground. Measure it from the wheel arch on the fender at ride height, then jack the car up til the tire lifts off the ground. The difference is what you're looking at, and it sounds like Calvert recommends 5".
I measured at the stops. It makes sense though, as you say, to measure at the outside of the tire, at the arch.
There will be more measured travel out there. I'll do that tomorrow.