IIRC, it’s not so much with early 90’s mtbs not being designed for a short reach as it was a small frame era that got the reach from 140mm stems.
There was a time when an undersized frame was considered a benefit in being more agile and weighed less. Although not necessarily founded in design reality, fitting was done with seatposts and stems. That said, handlebar height was still low and more front wheel weighted.
I’ve never been a fan of tall steerer tubes/quill stems especially riding off road. Somehow all that real estate between the headset and the stem just doesn’t seem like a good idea. But the answer for a steel frame/fork with a steel steerer might just be a longer steering tube that raises the bars and brings them closer.
As already suggested, I’d talk to frame builders who can give the OP a steel bike that works along with higher bars. It might cost $1000 or so more than some production bike with an extender, but it might be a better one bike option.
John
Last edited by 70sSanO; 11-26-20 at 10:38 AM.