Everything You Need to Know About F-150 Brake Rotors & Pads

Brake rotors are a topic under hot contention, no matter what vehicle application is in play. All F150s from 1997 to the present models come equipped with vented, grey iron rotors up front, and either vented or solid rotors in the rear (year and model dependent. Older F150s had drum brakes in the back). The aftermarket does make these same designs available as well, but when talking about brake performance and upgrading the braking system on your F150, slotted and or cross drilled rotors take the spot light. Let's take a look at what each design has to offer.

Vented solid rotor: These have been the OEM staple for decades and by and large, work fairly well. Their large mass ensures excellent strength and their vented design helps to cool the rotors down. If you are happy with the way your F150 is currently stopping, simply replace the OEM vented rotors with an OEM type when necessary. If you're looking for more stopping ability, slotted or drilled rotors will be more to your fancy.

Cross drilled rotors: Super popular back in the day, cross drilled rotors are very similar to basic cast rotors except small holes have been precisely drilled all over both faces of the disc. The advantage of this is twofold. 1) Less rotating mass and 2) the holes help to cool, disperse water, and vent braking gasses away. They also bear a sportier look than their plain brethren. A disadvantage of cross drilled rotors is the faces are drilled the rotor is structurally weaker – metal mass has been removed. Improperly drilled holes or poorly drilled rotors will be significantly weaker than normal and are likely to crack around the cross drilled holes. This is more prominent in knock-off or cheaper imitation cross drilled rotors, and less so with the big name brands that have taken the time and done the testing to ensure their cross drilled rotors can still take a beating.

Slotted rotors: Cross drilled rotors were all the rage in the past, but have subsequently been usurped by the slotted rotor. Still manufactured from iron, these rotors feature various slots cut into the face of each disc, allowing rapid and easy removal of water, dust, and any hot brake gasses that may form under hard braking as the pad is clamped onto the rotor. They also provide an edge for the pad to scrub against, preventing the pad surface from glazing over. The only downside is this causes the pad to wear quicker. 

Slotted and Cross Drilled: Well, as the name implies, these rotors both feature slots and cross drilled holes positioned throughout the face of the disc. Certainly sporty looking, these are a lighter weight rotor with all the advantages and disadvantages of cross drilled and slotted rotors rolled into one.

Note: When selecting a rotor, it is critical you are buying the rotor with the correct lug pattern. Most F150s come with a 6-lug bolt pattern, but there are plenty out there that feature 5, 7, or even 8-lugs per wheel.

Surprisingly, what is even more important than a quality rotor is a quality and ​well-matched brake pad. The composition of the friction material in the pad is the primary factor in determining braking performance and characteristics. Pads have optimal operating temperature ranges and when this range is exceeded (too hot = brake fade), their performance significantly declines.

That said, how does one choose a good braking compound for their F150? Semi-metallic, organic, and ceramic are still common friction materials, but now there are all sorts of hermaphroditic blends of these materials when developing the friction material. For example, one level ceramic pad may be labeled as an OE replacement, whereas another ceramic pad is labeled as a sporty, aggressively biting variant. They are both ceramic, so why the big difference? Well, as previously alluded, technologic advancements with the friction compounds of today has led to a much diluted, proprietary hybrid nature of brake pads. Thus, the best way to determine the best brake pad for your F150 is to read the manufacturer's (of the pad) recommendation. If you need a heavy duty pad to effectively stop your truck with a trailer in tow, the pad you need will be different than the pad for someone else that likes to take their F150 around town and occasionally to the track.

Speaking generally, however, semi-metallic pads are favored for pickup truck use. Semi-metallic pads have an exceptional operating temperature range, nicely absorb heat from the rotor and have a very strong bite. All these characteristics are perfect for an F150 capable of hauling a significant amount of weight. The downside to semi-metallic pads is they are noisier, create more dust, and are harsher on the rotors as compared to both organic and ceramic materials.

With the plethora of options and information out there in regards to F150 brake rotors and brake pads, manufacturers are now providing pre-matched rotor and brake packages suited for particular applications to make it easier for the end consumer to choose without being inundated with information overload.

OEM replacement packages exist, where essentially a basic rotor is paired with a stock style brake pad. This is ideal for owners who are happy with the way their F150 originally was braking, but needs to replace the system due to wear and tear. Brake noise and dust will be at a minimal in this type of kit. Service life will be extended (under normal circumstances) due to the less aggressive compound of the pads included in an OEM package.

The next level would most likely be some sort of street/strip/sport combo, featuring a slotted or slotted and cross drilled rotor with a more aggressive brake pad. The pad will be suited for daily driving as well as a fun rip around the track, but is likely to be both noisier and produce more brake dust than an OEM-style pad. Some of these sport style packages may work best when the pad is a little bit warm.

The third option for F150 rotor and pad kits would be a severe duty package. Intended for F150 pickups that are hauling heavy, you'll find high strength rotors (likely slotted, possibly cross-drilled too) and heavy duty pads intended to keep brake fade at bay and maximize braking surface area to be the norm. The included pads will likely be of the semi-metallic variety, which are the longest lasting pads, but are harsher on the rotor.