I didn't interpret the OP as having a high normal fd but that the new crank, despite the shorter spindle, sits further out from the frame and the fd's travel isn't enough to reach the big ring. He said pulling the cable by hand still didn't move it far enough which implies a standard low normal fd. He also said adjusting the limit screw didn't provide enough travel but I'd check to be sure he was adjusting the correct screw.

If this is a MTB crank, other than XTR, Octalink V-2 bottom brackets are available in 113 mm as well as 118 mm and 121 mm in both 68 and 73 mm bb shell widths. If it's a road crank, the V-1 Octalinks are available only in 109.5 (double) and 118.5 (triple) mm lenghts for 68 mm bb shells. If he has an MTB crank and the front derailleur really can't be made to reach the big chainring, it sounds like a 113 mm spindle is needed.