How to change the default user template?

Hello,

I would like to modify the default user template located in /System/Library/User Template/English.lproj so that when a new account logs into the Mac, settings such as the Dock, Desktop and certain System Preferences will be customized.

So far I created an account called 'setup' to be the basis for making the custom settings. The problem I run into is getting these settings to replace the ones in the default English.lproj folder. I used the terminal to first make a backup copy of my original English.lproj folder (renamed to English.lproj original), then use the ditto command to copy the /User/setup contents to /System/Library/User Template/English.lproj After doing that I set the permissions as they were on the original folder. However this does not work as I can get the Dock icons to show up properly, but things like the Desktop, Documents folder, Libary, etc are locked since the permissions do not set correctly when a new user account logs in.

How exactly can I change the default template since it is owned by the System? I cannot just go in as administrator and browse the contents of the English.lproj folder and drag and drop files in the Finder since it is not allowed. I am not sure if I am even on the right track with all of this. Any help would be extremely appreciated as I would really like to have better customization on the Mac. Thank you!!