IM trying to take the rear door panels off but the only thing stopping me is the rod connected to the door handles n i cant seem to get it off

you should see a little white clip like thing on the rod. It looks like it wraps around the connector.

That just snaps back and you should be able to lift the end of the rod out of the other side of the connector.

After that your door should just come up, dont forget to slide it up over the door lock locker thing (silver peice) as to not bend the crap out of that