First start on these last few cold mornings has been rough. I might replumb into the stock heater/canister but might try the coolant method thru the Fass.

but when the truck is cold from being off overnight the cold coolant wont help.

Has anyone tried a 120v inline coolant heater close to the fass?
Im hoping it would ease the start after 10-20 mins being plugged in.

I have one on a toyota 3B and its a great little circulator/heater unit that can almost burn you after 5mins on.

On the road this morning, wish us luck 2600km in 2-3days first trip after vp r+r

 

I have a Frostheater for my TDI Jetta:

http://www.frostheater.com/

While this product is specific to the VW TDI engine, I'd be willing to bet that Terry (the Frostheater guy) could be able to at least point you in the right direction on a coolant heater. He's a great dude, walked me through a bunch of questions I had on my Jetta install and even shipped me a different heater 2X (once when I ordered the wrong one and once when I sold the '99 Jetta and bought the '06 Jetta before I could install it--yep, different heaters!) So I'd give him a shout on the coolant heater question.

 

sorry but the fuel canister heater, does NOTHING for a cold start, so plumbing it back in will not help your starting issue, its designed to warm the fuel to keep it from jelling in the fuel filter, it is not a cold start aid. (as the fuel in the vp would be burned before any "warm fuel" showed up from the fuel filter canister, and by the time it does the engine would be running smooth anyway) likely most rough cold starts are caused by non-working grid heaters, poor spray pattern/worn injectors or low compression. does your factory block heater work? if able to plug it in you only need approx 3hrs.
get a good fuel additive to aid cold starts, I like Amsoil fuel concetrate or Cold Flow, but there are others out there that work as well
good luck on your trip!