Ford has told its suppliers to stop work on a 6.2 liter V8 engine for the F-Series pickup since declining pickup sales and high gas-prices are hurting the company’s pickup sales. According to sources, it’s still unclear whether Ford will offer a Super Duty pickup for the 2009 model.

Ford has already cancelled plans to offer the V8 on the next-generation Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator. Production of the two SUVs will also idle for 9 weeks starting June 23rd.

Known internally as the Boss, the V8 engine was going to compete with GM’s V8. Mark Fields, who revived work on the Boss engines after they were cancelled in 2005, said that the program is still on, but it will be scaled back.

Source say that the Boss name may be reassigned to a 5.0 liter V8 being made for the Mustang. The Boss engine has been canceled for performance Mustangs. So basically Ford may just offer a smaller displacement on the Boss V8.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)