Is it possible...
 

to change the interior door handle without removing the door panel? Most of the post I have read say that you do but I am trying to be lazy and not take them off.

If you are referring to the door pull (not just the plastic handle), then I am pretty sure you will have to remove the panel. On earlier cars, I believe you could have done it without removing the panel (two bolts behind the door top trim, and two under the plastic handle, and it would be off). However, at some point the factory began using a single screw to secure the handle to the door panel from the back side. ;)

I am talking about the plastic pull. I got some aluminum handles to replace them and I would like to do it without taking the doors apart.

I didn't remove the panel itself, but did remove several pieces of trim (including the map pocket, etc). Your '86 is probably very similar (if not identical) to my '88, and it wasn't too big a deal to change mine.

Thanks Keith,
I thought I might be able to. I just didn't want to start it and find out the shortcut was no shortcut

Yep, if your're just replacing the handle (door release), then remove the map pocket, seperate the inner door rod linkage, then (carefully) remove the top e-clip on the handle pin. Slide the pin out from the bottom, remove old handle, put plasitc linkage bushing in new handle, put new handle in place, slide pin back in, replace e-clip. Long needle-nose pliers work great for the e-clips.