When I bought 16 inch truck tires a few years ago I paid about $175 each. I was buying premium tires on sale, but with that number as context the price of the 18's I've found is not out of line.
I've been collecting those 18 inch wheels for a while. Some have been free, people find out how hard it is to find tires and decide to swap.
16 inch duals on the rear are a problem because of the diameter of the brake drums. The 16 inch inside dual will not clear the stock drums on a 1-ton. I don't know if the drum on a 3600 is the same as a 3800 or not.
If you think these are expensive price 18 inch wheels and tires for a Corvette... Good tires are expensive!