i got that ticking noise coming from the driver side head...

assuming its either header exhaust leak or lifters

if its the lifters, i dont have to swap both sides right? i only hear it from the driver side, so can i just do the driver side, and not the passenger side? less hassle...?

 

Maybe less hassle NOW but more in the long run if that side goes. Myself I would replace them all AND the lifter trays. You already have to remove the coolant and everything else to get into the drivers head so your a few bolts and a new head gasket from doing the passenger side head.