I told a buddy of mine that I was considering installing my own exhaust and he told me that I should have an impact wrench to tighten the bolts adequately enough. Is this a problem, or will a good ratchet do the job? Also, it could be because he's a Chevy owner who tried his on a Vette.

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'98 F-150 X-Cab XLT, 4.6L, Tan/Black

 

You don't need an impact wrench to tighten exhaust bolts. They don't require massive torque. The clamps especially will crush and distort your pipe. It is nice on your truck to use WD-40 on the old bolts and hanger dog bones, and have a hack saw handy. The hacksaw is nice to cut an angled slit at the pipe intersections that were previously crushed by the clamped areas. Tell him to stick to Vettes if this is his advice.

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2000 F-150 XL, RC, LB, 5.4L, 4R70W, 3.55LS,
Class III tow, Payload #3, & Convenience pkgs.,
4-wheel disc/ABS, Chestnut/Parchment 40/60,
Ford bedliner w/Paintsaver & gas/wheel/spare locks,
K&N F.I.P.K. w/Outwears pre-filter, Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back w/ 3" Y-pipe,
Hellwig front & rear anti-sway bars, Rancho RS 9000s,
Mobil 1, K&N oil filter.