Why do parts sites seem to carry so many drilled/slotted rotors?

My Taco is going to need brakes and rotors soon but it seems on most part sites when I search for brakes I get predominately drilled /slotted rotors in the results. I thought solid surface was preferred, especially if you are going to go off road.

 

Because marketing and ignorance, not fact or knowledge.

 

They get sold as higher performance in general and people eat that shit up. Your regular consumer doesn't take the time to think about whether they need the extra cooling (they don't) at the cost of structural rigidity in the rotor. I love seeing cars with drilled and slotted rotors, I used to have a mazdaspeed3 and did track days on vented blanks and aggressive metallic pads. Never had an issue on 100 degree days beating the car around the track for laps and laps, only to have the drag racing guys tell me they needed drilled, slotted, and high temp fluid to slow down once from 100+ mph when I did that for back to back laps on blanks lol. Oh and I had to brake for the other 13 turns in that course too...

 

Scratcin' for an itch type of product
There are some that nearly always assume stock sucks and nearly anything that is sourced aftermarket, is far superior. Like @hiPSI said, it's marketing.

 

Wow, you already need rotors? How many miles?

Look into Centric solid surface rotors and pads. I put those on my 1st gen at about 120k miles and I was very impressed.

 

Unless you rally race your truck you don't need them. Lot of the rally cars at this point don't even use brake pads any more just aluminum pucks and throw the set away after the race they cool much faster.

 

How does your truck already need new brakes?

 

It doesn't NEED new rotors but I will need new pads soon, they are getting worn down. Was debating just changing rotors while the tires were off so I was looking at kits and everything was drilled and slotted which made me wonder if I was missing something.

My rotors show zero signs of warping or anything so I may just slap some pads in and call it a day

 

Unless you just like to spend money you're on the right track.

 

If they have enough material, I'd get them turned. If your pads are worn, there's a good chance the mating surface is glazed over.
While you're at it, check the fluid, it may be burnt, have water, or dirty.

 

Brakes? I keep a chute in the bed. Some days, 3 of them.

PPG humor.

 

I'm at 40k and need pads. I was surprised. I've put 100k miles on truck pads before. A lot of the mileage was in stop and go traffic so I imagine that helped the quick demise of the pads. I ended up ordering from Rock Auto. There was a Raybestos kit with pads and coated rotors for $100. I really don't need the rotors, but whatever.

If you just do the pads and want to "start over" on the rotors there's a few things you can do in the garage to save some money. If you have an angle grinder you can lightly grind a nondirectional (circles) pattern onto the rotor braking surfaces. Or you can do the same with sandpaper of a coarse grit. Most shops I've been in don't even have a brake lathe. It's just faster and cheaper to replace.

 

slotted/drilled rotors simply look the coolest. That is why you see them. If you are the guy that buys the vinyl letters to highlight the word Tacoma on your dash or tailgate then undoubtedly those are the way to go.

 

My belief is it’s more about the look for 90% of people wanting them.

 

Well that's what I was originally thinking, if I'm pulling the tire off at 55k I might as well swap out the rotors at the same time. Should be good at least another 55k for about $100

 

In all my research back in the day drilled/slotted rotors actually performed worse in stopping power and people mainly bought them for looks.

 

smoked two sets of brembo blanks and hawk pads.

went to EBC stage 5 and have NEVER faded them.

 

At least.

 

slotted is good for off road. drilled, you'll end up getting small rocks stuck in there