Most likely you could use a stick/gauge with no tube, if the stick/gauge is the correct length for your year/type of 1941-1962 235 (with standard pans for each year).

A tube was "standard" equipment on domestic trucks.
Here are some of the gauge/stick and tube lengths from 1941 to 1957 (58-62 235/261 should/might match the 1957 lengths/parts).