The thickness accuracy of a TC4 deep cylinder is within the limit of (1.6±0.2) mm; hereby different shapes of preforming-dies were designed and the relation between the shape and the thickness distribution of the cylinder side-wall as well as the effect of pre-thinning areas were investigated using MARC finite element method (FEM). And also the influence of surface friction coefficient of the preforming die and the final forming die on the final thickness distribution of the deep cylinder was analyzed. A method of thickness control by friction changing was proposed. The results show that the performing-dies have great effect on the local pre-thinning of the ring band near the periphery and the bottom of the deep cylinder to improve the thickness distribution of the final side wall. Meanwhile the properly higher friction coefficient of the preforming die can efficiently reduce the thickness of the regions which need to be thinned, resulting in a more uniform final thickness distribution. Lower friction coefficient of the forming die can make the sheet tend to integral formation, also resulting in uniform thickness distribution of the side wall. According to the results of the simulation, the surface friction coefficient of the preforming die was increased by machining and the friction coefficient of the forming die was decreased by spraying BN ceramic powder. The aerospace TC4 deep cylinder with uniform thickness of 1.50-1.78 mm was fabricated by direct-reverse superplastic forming experiment