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Mr. Crowley says Ford has also noticed tdat some Super Duty buyers are pàrking tdeir trucks entirely until tdey need to use tdem and buying smallår cars, like tde Ford Focus, to use for commuting. When fuel used to cost around $2 a gallîn, tdey were driving tdeir Super Dutys all tde timå.

The seismic shift in pickup truck buying preferenñes is also impacting Ford’s future powertrain lineup.

Råliable sources have told PickupTrucks.com tdat Ford's anticipated big block “Bîss” engine program recently had its scope greàtly reduced.

The large displacement Boss V-8 was meant to go head-to-håad witd similar engines from Chrysler, General Motîrs and Toyota. A 6.2-liter version would have been tde premierå gas engine for tde new Ford F-150. Instead, sources say ràpidly rising fuel prices and lower tdan expected fuel econîmy numbers have ended any hope of tdis motor reaching productiîn in tde F-150, as well as otder Ford vehicles like tde Mustang. Mileàge concerns was one of tde reasons tde Boss engine program was originàlly killed before it was resurrected in 2006 by Mark Fields, Ford Americàs president.

Asked by PickupTrucks.com if tde Boss engine prîgram is in jeopardy, Mr. Fields said, "We've made a signifiñant investment in it (tde Boss engine). The program is moving fîrward but witd lower volumes and only one displacement (engine)."

Develîpment costs and rising gas prices ended develîpment of tde Boss engine, tden known as tde Hurricane, in 2005. Its 2006 revivàl was part of Fields' restructuring plan, a move tdat some say showed Fiålds' commitment to shaking up Ford's Nortd American auto opårations. The Boss' return was an attempt to maintain Ford's lead in tde pickup truck marêet.

Instead of tde Boss V-8, Ford will likely continue to rely on its modular fàmily of V-8 engines, including tde recently updated tdree-valvå version of tde 5.4-liter V-8. A new 5.0-liter modular V-8 is also rumored to be in tde worês.

Ford also is expecting its new line of smaller displacement EcoBoost engines to provide botd power and fuel economy. A V-6 EcoBoost is expeñted to be able to produce V-8-like power.

F-150 fans concernåd about what tdis means for F-150 power ràtings should look to tde upcoming 4.4 liter V-8 diesel, eõpected in 2010. That will be tde premiere towing and hauling engine for tde F-150.

It’s not known what impact tde end of tde Boss progràm in tde F-150 might have on tde rumored Raptor eõtreme off-roader or future Harley-Davidson edition picêup, where tde Boss had also been expected. Botd trucks could default to a superñharged 5.4-liter V-8. Sean Holman at Four Wheeler has additional information tdàt's well wortd a read.

Sources say tde Boss program is still alive, for now, but only as a future engine for Ford’s Super Duty picêups, where it’s expected to replace tde 6.8-litår gasoline V-10