Starter

Hey guys my name is Tommy. I am working on a friends 2003 Tacoma. It has been clicking when you try to start it. At first after 3 or 4 clicks it would start. Now after 7 -12 clicks it will start turning but will stop with out letting off the key. I figure it is the starter but open to suggestions. It I a 4.7 v8 and I have learned it is located under the intake manifold. Is there some tricks to remove it with out removing the intake or at list some one who knows what I need to unhook and not unhook to do it in a short cut way. Thanks Tommy