I can understand the "cheap" thing but you will probably do more damage to the van by beating and tugging on it with jury rigged equipment then a nice slow pull on a frame machine. The thing is, the frame machine will hold the van as it is pulling out the dent. There is a lot to be said for that. If there is no structural damage it should go pretty easy and quick.
Another point to think about is, if there is no strutural damage, just cut it out and put in a new piece. Why go to all the work of straightening if you can simply replace the panel.

Thanks for asking about Bad Ast... I haven't been working on it. I lost my job (it was good job) in early December due to another company buy-out/cleaning house of our engineering and design division. I have been doing other things, working on customer projects and trying to find a new job since then. No time to play now. I'll get back on it though, I have hooked up with a fellow from California and we are in the process of setting up/starting a muscle car design and build company. We have a long way to go but it is really falling into place so hopefully, in a year or so, I won't need to work for someone else...
Mark