About
Customer service is not just a department
Our Mission
Our Story
We spent ten years selling regular vehilces and building our reputation. We would mix in lifted trucks, because it was something we love. Once we were able to save enough capital, and built the right team, we geared up to do lifted trucks.
2017 was our first year selling mostly lifted vehicles, and we havent looked back. We keep our main focus on buildimg custom lifted trucks here in house. We do all the buying, lifting, aligment, and details here in house. Family owned, family operated, with the reputation to prove it.
Our History
WHERE IT ALL STARTED
Back in the 90’s, Nick started his entrepreneur journey selling newspapers. After years of riding his bike, he eventually saved up for a go kart.
Through years of doing his paper route, he learned to love working for himself. After the paper route he had many others. Pictured here is Nick and his brother Alex.
IT BEGINS IN 2007
First vehicle sold was the summer of 2007 for Nick Bulanda and his team. With the help of his parents and brothers, he was able to make this dream happen. His parents pulled money from their 401K to get a loan to start.
This was the start of a few tough years in the car business especially with the “the great recession” starting in 2008. With the grit to keep going, they made it through the worst years in the car biz.
SECOND LOCATION OPENS IN 2015
Ultimate Rides opens its second location in 2015 and started to build custom vehicles. Original opening its doors in 2006, the journey to its second location was a hard one.
This is where Ultimate Rides found its stride in building custom vehicles, and turned its focus to lifted trucks, SUV’s and wranglers. After that, the rest was history.
MAN BEHIND THE LIFT SHOP
2016 marked the year we brought in the most important part to our process of lifting trucks. Robert Wildenhain came on board with us and believed in our vision of building trucks in house.
With a lot of effort and late nights, Robert perfected our process of how we build these trucks. He curated a team of skilled mechanics, that shared the same passion for lifted trucks.
OUR NEW HOME
Fast forward until 2024 when we move into our new location on the highway, one hour south of Chicago. We took three years to build this new building for exactly what we need with over three acres of lifted trucks.
Brand new alignment rack, 10 mechanic lifts, state of the art photo dome, four stage detail process along with a massive office and lounge is what makes us different. After decades of work, we built one of the largest lifted truck dealers in the USA.
Our Team
Click through each employee to get a quick bio, and contact information.
Nick Bulanda
Adam Singer
Alex Bulanda
Robert Wildenhain
John Prendergast
Behind the Truck
Click through some behind the scenes of our team around the shop.
In Loving Memory
To our brother Jake who has been here since day one.
REST IN PEACE - Jacob Andrew Bulanda
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