Mountain Biking - my front end is too short!

All right guys here's the situation. I am 6'4 and currently ride an 18" bike. I know it's too small and I have money if need be for a new bike/fork but I would rather use it for school. Well I would actually rather use it on a bike but you know how that goes. Anyway, The only thing that really bothers me is how far down I am leaning when I ride because my seat is high and my handlebars are low. The two solutions I have come up w/ are: buy front-end spacers and/or buy a new fork. As for the spacers I do not know much about, so will sombody please give me some info on them and where to buy some as well as cost. My other option is upgrading to a larger fork. I have a Rock Shox Judy and its a couple years old. I know I should probably buy a new fork (manitou) because I think my level of riding has surpassed the Judy but I wanted to get some "expert" opinions first.

On my dad's mtb I had to install a really long handlebar stem. They make some really long/high rise units for small dough. Also look into the BMX side of the fence. They have some cool swayback seatposts.

riser bars? maybe? i don´t know

Dad's has those too. Great big ones.(3 inch rise).

If you have an ahead set stem then spacers won't work to raise the height because the steerer tube on the fork has been cut to the height it currently sits at. Your stem clamps on that steerer tube. If it's a quill stem then the it's gonna be the same solution that the PA biker suggested.

The PA biker (replies in other posts are very sharp) is on the money with a riser stem.

Save your dough ...don't buy a new fork for a frame that by your own admission is too small. Wait and get a rig that you can afford that fits your body and your budget.

Ebay has amazing deals as I'm sure you already know.

I went to the lbs today and got some ideas. I haven't totally decided on whether or not I want a hardtail or fs so I looked at both and I want to know if any of you guys have or know about the Gary Fisher Xcalibur. I liked the bike except I wish the fork had a little more travel. As for the fs, I am not sure what I should look into since I am on a budget of about 1500

Oh, and as a matter of fact, I was able to add about 1-1.5" spacer and I have an ahead set. That was as high as I was able to go though.

If your not interested in spending much cash, go for a long stem.

Although some might not agree, I feel that if I want to progress at the pace I would like, I should probably get a new bike. The bike is too small and parts are breaking on me. So lets here those thoughts on the GF Xcalibur.

Oh, and as a matter of fact, I was able to add about 1-1.5" spacer and I have an ahead set. That was as high as I was able to go though.

How much is the steerer tube recessed in the stem? Be careful, more than a quarter inch is risky.

I sold my Santa Cruz Superlight with Fox float R, Judy XC and XTR kit for 1500 after 4 years of racing it. I thought I got more than I should have. So I think 1500 is a good mark for an ebay deal on a decent FS.

telenick I am not sure what you mean. I am still somewhat of a newbie (I have learned so much from this site that I am moving out of that state.)