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License Plate Brackets: garageSTAR vs. KG WORKS

7K views 37 replies 24 participants last post by  ClassyMSM 
#1 · (Edited)
I have had a KG WORKS license plate bracket on my '92 Sunburst for several years now. When I bought my wife a 93LE, I wanted to get a second one, but was unable to track one down. While searching and considering other options, a garageSTAR bracket fell into my lap. Rather than simply installing it, I decided to spend some time comparing it to the KG WORKS.

Here are the the 2 brackets side by side (garageSTAR on top, KG WORKS on bottom).



Holes- The 1st thing you notice is that there is an extra hole on the KG. This is because the original holes were for a Japanese plate with different hole spacing, so I had to drill a new hole to work with a US plate. Advantage- garageSTAR

Position- The 2nd difference is the distance between the car and plate mounting points. This leaves the garageSTAR sitting lower than the KG WORKS (seen in pictures at the end). Advantage- personal preference.

When I roll the brackets over, you notice a few more differences...



Slot vs hole- The garageSTAR features a slot rather than a hole for the car-side mounting point. Both brackets sandwich a baby tooth, but the garageSTAR slot allows you more adjustability. Advantage- garageSTAR

Metal gauge- The garageSTAR seemed to have thicker metal so I took a digital caliper to each to confirm:




garageSTAR 3.1mm, KG WORKS- 2mm. Advantage- garageSTAR


Hardware: The hardware included in each kit is similar, but different.



Bolts- The garageSTAR bolts that attach the license to the bracket are a little too long for my taste. I prefer the shorter bolts of the KG WORKS as there is less chance of bumper contact. Advantage- KG WORKS

Nuts- gargaeSTAR uses nylon lock nuts while KG uses lock washers. Advantage- garageSTAR

Washers- The garageSTAR contains no washers for the plate to bracket attachment. This, combined with the small head of the included bolt and the rather large hole that comes on a TX plate caused me issues. I ended up adding washers. Advantage- KG WORKS

Cost- KG WORKS was purchased from Leni Metro before he closed shop for $52.95 plus $10.95 shipping. The garageSTAR is $45 shipped. Advantage- garageSTAR

Availability- KG WORKS seems to be unavailable at the moment, so Advantage- garageSTAR


Final thoughts... The garageSTAR is superior in almost every way. With a small improvement to the hardware, it would be a clean sweep for the garageSTAR. I ended up placing the new garageSTAR bracket on my 92 Sunburst and put the KG WORKS plate on my wife's 93LE.

 

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#5 ·
Don't really feel like pulling them off for more pictures but I did go out and take a few measurements...

KG WORKS
9.75" wide
6" lift (from baby tooth attachment point to license plate attachment point)

garageSTAR
11.75" wide
4" lift
 
#4 · (Edited)
.........
Here are the the 2 brackets side by side (KG WORKS on top, garageSTAR on bottom).



Are you sure about that? LOL I think you have that backwards, KG-Works appears to be on the bottom ......

Thanks for the write-up, very well thought out. Both look very well made for sure!

And FWIW the KG-Works is still available in Japan, but at a higher cost (yen to dollar sucks right now) just contact REV9, or Tetsuya Garage for importing.

And if you dont wanna wait, just get the Garage Star version. :)
 
#6 ·
Are you sure about that? LOL I think you have that backwards, KG-Works appears to be on the bottom ......

Thanks for the write-up, very well thought out. Both look very well made for sure!

And FWIW the KG-Works is still available in Japan, but at a higher cost (yen to dollar sucks right now) just contact REV9, or Tetsuya Garage for importing.
You are right.... that was a typo... fixed it! ;)

Did not realize it was still available. I could not find it listed on anyone's site, including the KG WORKS site. I also didn't feel like the wait that comes with having one imported as it took me nearly 6 months to get my Beatrush belly pan when I had it imported for me several years ago.
 
#7 ·
Great review. I'll get a garageSTAR bracket cause I like the driver side position better than the passenger. Plus most (good looking) tow hooks fit better on the right side :fab:

Mods - would it be possible to move this to the reviews section so it won't get lost in the exterior section. He did a good job and I'd hate for others to miss out. Plus it helps (positively) support a vender :)
 
#10 ·
I thought GS fixed the hardware problem?

I know he sells a bracket that bolts in place of the baby toof as well. Just incase someone here doesn't have theirs anymore
 
#13 ·
Actually the hardware that attaches the license plate has not been changed. I bought it recently and was concerned about the length of the screws going into my bumper so I flipped them around and had the ends of the screws pointed out, then went to the hardware store and got some white rubber caps and covered the ends. Might sound a little ghetto but I think it looks fine.

I will also vouch for the quality of the garagestar license plate bracket! My car didn't have the baby teeth so I had to get the adapter that garagestar sells as well. From my experience that part was a bitch to install, maybe I didn't have the right tools or was I was doing it the hard way, either way I highly recommend the bracket!
 
#17 ·
Hey Will. Most of the hardware has been upgraded as of a week ago. Some of the new hardware have came in but I am waiting for the nuts and bolts for to mount the license plate to come in. It should be here in a week. Till then I am using the existing longer nuts and bolts. I buy them in bulk to save money. The ACE hardware near me doesn't sell more than 15 short button heads nuts and bolts and they are $1.50 a piece for stainless. Once I get them in I will be glad to send out the shorter nuts and bolts to hold the license plate on. I will let you guys know.




CheezyPoofs, You can purchase a bracket on www.garagestar.com
Where can you buy one?
 
#15 ·
Ditto... When I first got my Miata almost 10 years ago, I took the baby teeth off and installed a Team Miata flip up license plate holder. That one got mangled on a parking curb years ago, and I went without a front plate for a while. It wasn't until I got a no-front plate ticket that I purchased the KG Works. I did not enjoying getting the baby tooth back on to mount it.
 
#18 ·
^ thats good customer service right there ladies and gents
 
#20 ·
I am another happy customer and it was actually the first "mod" i performed on the miata since i didn't want to drill into the racing beat bumper that came with the car. The only thing i would prefer like others is the shorter bolts to come with the kit. I know you can easily replicate this design as a DIY for dirt cheap but the time and effort involved was not worth it in my opinion and would have wound up with a inferior product.

Basically for forty five dollars shipped its a no-brainer.

I still owe you pictures Ken, i am waiting for my friend to process the photo's and i am sure you don't want a crappy quality from my P&S or my cell phone.
 
#23 ·
Thanks for the write-up, Titus! From the final on-car shots, I really prefer the lower overall height provided by the garage star bracket. Looks like it's a nice choice for those NA folks who still have original paint and that Mazda logo on there. :)
 
#24 ·
Thanks Steve... I actually am unsure how I feel about the decal showing... I like the lower position, but I think I kinda liked how the KG covered the Mazda decal.
 
#25 ·
Absolutely an excellent thread. I'm moving it to Product Reviews so it doesn't get lost.

Also, the lower plate positioning of the garageStar is absolute win in my humble opinion. So much more stylish a few inches lower. NM doesn't have front plates, but if we did, I would not mind so much with this bracket.
 
#26 ·
NM doesn't have front plates, but if we did, I would not mind so much with this bracket.
You're lucky. I didn't think Oregon did either, but an officer told me otherwise :fp:

Will be selling my current one and getting one of these as soon as my carbing hook comes in :mrgreen:
 
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