Cruiser Consoles vs Department of the Interior: Which 70 Series Console Is Right for You? (2026)

If you're fitting out the cabin of a 70 Series LandCruiser, sooner or later you'll be weighing up two of the biggest names in Australian centre consoles: Cruiser Consoles and Department of the Interior. They're both terrific local manufacturers with loyal followings, so this isn't a case of one being "good" and one being "bad." It's about matching the right maker to your build. Before we get into it, you can see our full console range if you'd rather just start browsing. This guide covers where each brand came from, what they do best, and a side-by-side table to help you decide.

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1. Two Great Australian Console Makers

Let's say this up front: Cruiser Consoles and Department of the Interior are both proudly Australian-owned, Australian-manufacturing businesses that have earned their reputations the hard way, by building quality gear that survives corrugations, dust and years of hard touring. Supporting either one keeps money and skilled jobs in Australia, and both companies stand behind what they make. The differences below are about focus and fit, not about quality. Whichever way you go, you're buying a well-made, locally-built console.

2. Cruiser Consoles: The Toowoomba 70 Series Specialist

Cruiser Consoles built its name on Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series roof consoles. As demand grew, so did the range, which now includes centre floor consoles, speaker pods, storage drawers and fridge consoles. It's a small, family-owned and operated business based in Torrington, Toowoomba, Queensland, and it posts products right across Australia.

What makes Cruiser Consoles stand out is focus. Because the business was built around the 70 Series from day one, its products are designed specifically for the interiors of the 79 and 75 Single Cabs, 79 Dual Cabs, 76 Wagons and 78 Troop Carriers. That specialisation shows in the fit and the practicality of the designs; these are consoles made by people who know these trucks inside out. For a 70 Series owner, that single-platform expertise is a genuine strength.

3. Department of the Interior: A Long-Standing Australian Manufacturer

Department of the Interior, which trades today as DOTI Automotive, has a great Aussie manufacturing backstory. The company began when founder Norm built a custom console for his own Ford MkI Escort Panel Van in his parents' single-car garage in Oatley, Sydney. His mum Gwynne stitched the very first covers on her sewing machine, his wife Denise helped sew and represented the brand at the Sydney Motor Show, and his brother Steven later joined to help drive it forward.

From that makeshift bench of vinyl and plywood, the business grew into a respected name in Australian automotive interiors. It moved to a factory in Carlton, expanded into the 4WD market through the 1990s (starting with the GQ Patrol and 40, 60 and 80 Series LandCruisers), and today operates from a facility in Kingsgrove, NSW with a team of 25-plus. It remains Australian-made, and its work has been featured in the likes of Wheels, Street Machine, 4x4 Australia and Unique Cars. When you buy a Department of the Interior console, you're buying into decades of Australian manufacturing experience.

4. Cruiser Consoles vs Department of the Interior: Side by Side

Here's the quick head-to-head. Remember, this is about finding the right fit for your build. Both brands score highly on the thing that matters most, which is quality Australian manufacturing.

5. Product Range Compared

Cruiser Consoles keeps a tight, purpose-built catalogue centred on the 70 Series: centre floor consoles, full-length and half-length options, roof consoles, fridge consoles, speaker pods and storage drawers. Everything is designed to work together in a 79, 76 or 78 cabin, so it's easy to build a matched interior.

Department of the Interior offers a broader spread, spanning floor consoles, roof consoles, dash consoles, door trims and speaker pods, storage drawer systems and even seating solutions, across the 70 Series and a long list of other vehicles. If you want to integrate audio, comms and storage into one considered interior fit-out, DOTI's experience across many platforms is a strength.

6. Build Quality and Materials

This is where both brands genuinely shine, and it's why it's so hard to pick a "loser." Both build hard-wearing consoles designed for Australian touring conditions, with practical storage, cup holders, and provisions for accessories like UHF radios, switches and fridges. Cruiser Consoles' strength is that every product is engineered around the same handful of 70 Series cabins. Department of the Interior's strength is decades of refinement and an OEM-style finish developed across many vehicle interiors. In both cases you're getting a locally made product built to last, not an imported compromise.

7. Fitment and Vehicle Coverage

If you own a 70 Series and nothing else, Cruiser Consoles' single-platform focus makes fitment simple, since the range is built for your truck and little else. If your garage has more than one project, or you want the reassurance of a manufacturer with a long track record fitting out a wide variety of vehicles, Department of the Interior's breadth is hard to beat. Either way, always confirm the exact variant (Single Cab, Dual Cab, Wagon or Troopy) and model year when ordering, as cabin layouts changed with the 2024 facelift.

8. Lead Times and Buying

Both brands build consoles to order, which is normal for quality Australian-made interior gear. It's the trade-off for a product that actually fits and lasts, rather than a mass-produced universal item. Lead times vary with demand and the specific product, so it's worth checking current turnaround before you commit if you're working to a trip deadline. We stock Cruiser Consoles for the 70 Series, so if you decide that's the right fit you can order the correct console for your exact cabin in one place. Whichever brand you choose, confirm your variant (Single Cab, Dual Cab, Wagon or Troopy) and model year before you commit.

9. Which Console Brand Should You Choose?

Choose Cruiser Consoles if you want a dedicated 70 Series specialist. For a 79, 76 or 78 owner who wants a console clearly designed around their exact cabin, with a coordinated range of roof consoles, fridge consoles and pods that match, the Toowoomba focus is a real plus.

Choose Department of the Interior if you want breadth and integration from a long-established maker. Decades of Australian manufacturing, wider model coverage, and strong audio, storage and seating options make DOTI a great fit for a more involved interior build or for owners who value a well-proven brand.

And if you can't decide? That's completely fine. Both are quality Australian-made choices, and plenty of happy 70 Series owners run either brand. Pick the one whose range best matches the interior you're picturing.

10. The Verdict: Two Aussie Brands Worth Backing

There's no bad choice here. Cruiser Consoles and Department of the Interior are both outstanding Australian suppliers who build genuinely local, genuinely durable consoles for the 70 Series. Cruiser Consoles brings sharp single-platform specialisation; Department of the Interior brings decades of manufacturing experience and a broader range. Back whichever suits your build, and feel good knowing that either way, you're supporting Australian manufacturing and getting a console that'll go the distance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cruiser Consoles or Department of the Interior better?

Neither is "better" outright; both are high-quality Australian-made brands. Cruiser Consoles is a 70 Series specialist based in Toowoomba, ideal if you want a purpose-built console for a 79, 76 or 78. Department of the Interior (DOTI) is Australian-made and offers a broader range across many vehicles. Choose based on whether you want single-platform focus or long-established breadth.

Are both brands Australian-made?

Yes. Both Cruiser Consoles and Department of the Interior manufacture in Australia, and Cruiser Consoles builds and ships its 70 Series range from Queensland.

Do they both make consoles for the 79 Series?

Yes. Both brands make consoles suited to the 79 Series Single Cab and Dual Cab, as well as other 70 Series variants. Always confirm the exact body style and model year when ordering, as the 2024 facelift changed some interior dimensions.

Which brand should I buy for a Troopy or 76 Wagon?

Both cover these platforms. Cruiser Consoles designs specifically around the 78 Troop Carrier and 76 Wagon, so its fit and coordinated range are a strong match. Department of the Interior also covers these vehicles and adds broader audio and storage integration. Compare the specific product for your model before deciding.