Do I need any special tools to swap this in?

Just a Phillips screwdriver or your hands, depending on your truck's air box clips. Unclip the lid, slide the old filter out, drop the new one in. Takes five minutes.

How often should I replace it?

Check it every 15,000 miles. If it looks caked with dust, swap it. Driving in dusty conditions means more frequent changes. Your owner's manual has the factory interval.

Will this affect my truck's performance?

A clean filter breathes better than a clogged one—you'll notice smoother acceleration and better fuel economy once you install it. Degraded filters restrict airflow, so this is a maintenance win, not a power mod.