Well any time I need to jack up a wheel, I place the bottle jack under the axle directly under the spring. Many feel better placing the jack under the "U" bolt, but I put it on the tube its self. You state your jack goes up 16.5", but didn't say if that was the total lift, or total height at full extension. If you lift on the frame, you need to lift the distance of the tire side wall, flat correct, and the spring travel, likely close to 16". Lifting on the axle you only need to lift the height of the side wall and about another inch.
Jack is sitting on the ground or single layer of 2X6 or what ever, not a wobbly stack 10" tall.
Easier and safer.