Topic.

I will improve the armor as I can, but will wear only low level armors such as fur, hide, etc. Can a 2H warrior survive ok in that?

I am not using enchanting or alchemy btw.

Yeah, just get a lot of health and learn to block with the 2h. You will also learn to dogde the enemy.

My favorite (and most long-lasting) character wore Hide Armor and wielded a Nord Hero Greatsword for an entire game. I played on Adept.

With that character I didn't do any Smithing, any Enchanting or any Alchemy. I also didn't use any magic at all (no spells, scrolls, blessings) or use any Shouts. I played that character to about level 55. I plan to make another one just like him again someday. A lot of fun.

Fur armor here, no helmet. Master difficulty. Just got to get some serious health through enchantments is all.

It might be a bit difficult if you don't use it, but you are playing on adept and not master, which is like playing on master difficulty with the Orc's berserk power up 24/7. You should be fine.

Almost exactly what I had in mind. I will either play a Nord dragonborn using Ancient Draugr/Nord Hero weapons, or an Orc using an Orcish battleaxe. I will probably improve the armor though. You didn't even improve the armor?

Not on that character. I had done Smithing on my previous character and I just didn't feel like going through the process a second time. As it turned out, I didn't think I really missed the extra benefit much.

Was it hard getting him/her to level 55? What skills did you level?

My reasoning is that you'd have to be a muscle bound "Arnold" type to wear skins and furs effectively, your muscle being your real armor.

Without enchanting, it is possible but it may be difficult because you won't have the high damage to end fights quickly. You don't mention smithing and that could help but not as much. Possibly the biggest boost to 2H is elemental fury shout which can increase your DPS by up to 70%.
If you only get to 20 enchant and invest 2 perks, you can make items for 72% fortify 2H, which when combined with elemental fury, make a very strong 2H fighter. With fully developed 2H, you can do almost 200 damage per second with just a superior smithed weapon requiring only 31 smithing.
I have found that 2H is probably the most effective way to build a strong but minimal character, meaning having the fewest support crafting skills. (31 smithing, 20 enchant, and max in 2H, you don't need anything else)

I am by no means an Arnold, but I am pretty effing muscular from doing power lifting type workouts three days a week, and I can tell you that extra muscle mass is no kind of armor at all. A warhammer to the chest is going to kill you if you are Steve Buschemi or Arnold.

I hear you, but I am so effing tired of becoming overpowered at a high level. I STILL haven't played through Dawnguard yet despite a day one purchase because I get so bored with my characters. I want one character who I can use from now on, and not become OP. I also don't want it to be frustratingly tedious though, either. Striking a balance is hard.

I know. My new favorite character is like what I described above but doesn't wear any armor at all. That makes all the difference because while you're very powerful on the attack, you're still vulnerable if you make a mistake and this is exactly the way I like to play; do it right and you win, screw up and you die.

That sounds pretty fun, actually.