853 on '96 XLT
I don't know about the '99 Apollo607, but in reply to the initial question: I just (almost) finished putting an 853 on my '96 XLT 4x4 4door. I don't know if I got a bad kit but I had all kinds of problems.
1. The steering extension didn't take into account a little knob on the steering wheel side of the shaft so I had to saw off the knob.
2. The bolts for the 6 mounts (3/side) in the interior of the car (not the very front or very rear) were all too long and would bottom out before they tightened, so I had to go purchase new ones.
3. There was a lip of sheet metal as others have described that interfered with the radiator drop brackets.
4. Last but not least. The 853 kit has bumper brackets that will not work for the front or rear. Both will need to be fabricated. That bumper issue is why my X is "almost" complete.
Based on my experience and the descriptions of the 883 I'm not sure why a '96 needs an 853. The 3" spacers are the same, the bolts don't work anyways, and at least the 883 will give you front bumper brackets. Here some people reports the steering extension incompatibility, but I've read descriptions of people making it work, and mine didn't fit without using a hacksaw.
It's quite possible all the problems stem from the simple fact that I'm an idiot, but there's my two cents.
