A vehicle step mounting assembly includes a vehicle frame member, a first mounting bracket and a retractable step assembly. The first mounting bracket is attached to the vehicle frame member, with the first mounting bracket being cantilevered from the vehicle frame member in an outboard direction. The retractable step assembly has a second mounting bracket and at least one step retraction link attached to an underside of the second mounting bracket. An upper side of the second mounting bracket is attached to the first mounting bracket.